Lawmakers Demand Answers From Costco Over Sale of Surveillance Equipment Made Using ‘Banned Chinese Components’

Rep. Christopher Smith and Sen. Jeff Merkley questioned the retail giant’s continued sale of Lorex products, which have been linked to human rights abuses.

Shoppers walk out with full carts from a Costco store in Washington, on May 5, 2020. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Two bipartisan lawmakers are demanding answers from Costco over its decision to continue selling Chinese-manufactured security products that have been linked to human rights abuses and cybersecurity risks.

In a letter dated Oct. 31, Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) questioned the retail giant’s continued sale of Lorex security products, noting that the company previously had ties to China-based company Dahua, whose products are restricted in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).