Lawmakers seek answers from Costco regarding items found on shelves.
Lawmakers Demand Costco Answer for What Is Being Found on Store Shelves
Lawmakers are questioning why retail giant Costco continues to sell products that have been banned by the U.S. due to concerns about Chinese government spying on Americans.
Currently, Costco is selling home security devices made by Lorex, which is associated with the Chinese company Dahua. The Federal Communications Commission blacklisted Dahua surveillance products in 2022 due to the “unacceptable risk” they pose to national security.
Dahua has also been accused of using slave labor and assisting the Chinese Communist Party in tracking and surveilling the Uyghur population.
In 2021, TechCrunch highlighted these human rights issues when several major U.S. retail chains, including Home Depot and Best Buy, removed Lorex products from their shelves. However, Costco has not followed suit, prompting lawmakers to demand answers.
Republican New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith and Democratic Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley sent a letter to Costco CEO W. Craig Jelinek, expressing their confusion about why the company continues to sell products with “critical vulnerabilities” that could lead to unauthorized access and tampering.
Smith and Merkley emphasized that no data collected by these products can be withheld from Chinese authorities if requested for intelligence purposes.
The lawmakers also pointed out that although Lorex was sold by Dahua to the Taiwanese company Skywatch, concerns remain because Dahua still supplies all the component parts for Lorex cameras and surveillance equipment.
Smith and Merkley further highlighted Dahua’s involvement in China’s genocidal campaign against the Uyghurs.
Costco’s Silence
Costco has not yet commented on these issues, leaving lawmakers and concerned citizens wondering why the company continues to support a brand associated with human rights abuses and potential national security risks.
Protecting American Interests
It is crucial to recognize that China actively seeks opportunities to spy on Americans, track their movements, and gather their data. Allowing Chinese-controlled tech companies to operate freely in the U.S. poses a significant threat to national and individual security.
American retailers must prioritize national interests over profit and cease providing dangerous enemies like China with the means to target and exploit American citizens.
The post Lawmakers Demand Costco Answer for What Is Being Found on Store Shelves appeared first on The Western Journal.
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In conclusion, the decision of retail giant Costco to continue selling banned products associated with Chinese surveillance companies raises serious concerns about national security and human rights abuses. While other major U.S. retailers have taken steps to remove these products from their shelves, Costco’s silence on the matter is troubling.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Smith and Sen. Jeff Merkley, have demanded answers from Costco regarding their decision. They have raised valid concerns about the potential for data breaches, unauthorized access, and the risk of Chinese government interference. The involvement of Dahua, a company blacklisted by the Federal Communications Commission, in supplying component parts for these products further demonstrates the serious risks involved in their sale.
Moreover, the accusation of involvement in China’s genocidal campaign against the Uyghurs is deeply concerning and adds another layer of ethical consideration. By continuing to sell these products, Costco is indirectly supporting human rights abuses and undermining global efforts to address these issues.
It is crucial to prioritize national security and individual privacy over profit. Allowing Chinese-controlled tech companies to operate freely in the U.S. not only poses a risk to American citizens but also compromises the integrity of national security measures. American retailers must take a strong stance against such threats and ensure they are not inadvertently contributing to the efforts of foreign adversaries.
In light of these concerns, Costco’s silence on the matter is disappointing. Lawmakers and concerned citizens alike deserve transparency and accountability from one of the largest retail companies in the United States.
As consumers, we have the power to influence corporate decisions. It is important to support retailers that prioritize ethics, human rights, and national security. By voicing our concerns and choosing to purchase products from companies that share our values, we can encourage positive change and hold corporations accountable for their actions.
The question remains: will Costco address these concerns and take the necessary steps to align with ethical and security standards? Only time will tell, but as consumers, we must remain vigilant and demand transparency from the companies we support.
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