Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit accusing Anzu Robotics and TP Link of concealing their connections to the Chinese Communist Party, potentially compromising Americans' data security. Anzu Robotics, purportedly a Texas-based drone maker, was charged with selling devices from a blacklisted Chinese manufacturer, DJI, in an attempt to evade US government restrictions.

Paxton labeled Anzu Robotics products as a "trojan horse" linked to the CCP, expressing concerns over potential data collection by the Chinese government through DJI technology. The lawsuit also targeted TP Link, alleging that despite "Made in Vietnam" labels, the company's supply chain is deeply rooted in China, exposing millions of consumers to cybersecurity risks and Chinese hacking groups.

In response, Texas Governor Greg Abbott added DJI and TP Link to the state's list of prohibited companies, citing national security concerns. The Department of War identified DJI as a company supporting the Chinese Communist Party, leading to export restrictions by the Commerce Department. Furthermore, the Treasury Department previously identified DJI as complicit in biometric surveillance of minority groups in China, including Muslim Uyghurs, to aid in religious repression.

The lawsuit highlighted that Anzu Robotics drones are essentially rebranded DJI drones, sharing identical hardware and software with only cosmetic differences. Both Anzu Robotics and TP Link are yet to comment on the allegations.