Attorney General Brenna Bird Sues Video Surveillance Company ADI Global Distribution for Making Iowans’ Private Data Available to China
DES MOINES—Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has sued video surveillance company ADI Global Distribution Inc., commonly known as ADI, for hiding the fact that its cameras are manufactured in China by two companies, Hikvision and Dahua, that have close ties to the Chinese military. Both companies are on a list of foreign entities that pose a national security risk to the U.S. This is the second lawsuit in a series of actions by Attorney General Bird this week against China-aligned entities.
ADI deceived Iowans for years by selling security cameras that were manufactured by the companies on the national security watch list—at times even changing the labels on the cameras to trick U.S. distributors, including Iowans. There was also no statement or disclaimer on any documentation that disclosed the security issues and the cameras’ presence on U.S. government lists.
ADI’s website markets the benefits of ADI’s suite of video surveillance products and promotes itself as a trusted source for security and smart-home solutions, claiming to “help keep our communities safe, secure, comfortable and connected” and provide “solutions for educational and healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, offices, homes and more.” They assure customers that “[a]ll data remains within the client’s local network.” However, the cameras have experienced multiple security vulnerabilities and other risks that an Iowan would find significant.
The Federal Communications Commission has said the telecommunication and surveillance equipment manufactured by Hikvision and Dahua is a recognized threat to American users because “they are vulnerable to spying from hackers and information requests from the People’s Republic of China’s intelligence entities.” Iowans’ sensitive images and private location data is at risk. That data is vulnerable to exploitation and intrusion by foreign actors with a congressionally recognized record of nefarious and untrustworthy conduct.
“Iowans use video surveillance cameras to protect themselves, but these cameras are doing exactly the opposite,” said Attorney General Bird. “These China-made cameras are making Iowans’ private information—everything from where each room is in your home, who lives there, your routine, and even passwords—available to the Chinese government and military. The deception needs to stop; companies aligned with China will be held accountable to Iowa’s law.”
Attorney General Bird is taking this action under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act to get relief for Iowa consumers and make sure that ADI stops deceiving Iowans about the safety of their sensitive, private data.
Read the Petition here.
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For More Information:
Jen Green | jen.green@ag.iowa.gov
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