Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Drone Nerds, LLC, over its reported connection to Anzu Robotics, LLC, a company identified as having ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Anzu Robotics has marketed and sold drones in the United States while allegedly misrepresenting its security and privacy protections. Officials say the company also concealed its connections to the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns about unauthorized data collection, surveillance capabilities, and the potential for access by the Chinese government. In February 2026, Paxton filed a lawsuit against Anzu seeking to stop what he described as deceptive practices and to protect Texans from threats to both privacy and national security.
The investigation also focuses on the relationship between Drone Nerds and Anzu following a November 2025 acquisition by XTI Aerospace. Authorities believe Anzu may be attempting to bypass restrictions by working through Drone Nerds as a distributor. The Attorney General’s Office alleges the two companies could be operating together to evade Texas law while continuing to sell drone technology that could be used for surveillance.
State officials further claim that Drone Nerds has misled consumers by marketing Anzu’s Raptor drone as a product “headquartered and operated within the United States,” despite concerns about its foreign affiliations.
As part of the investigation, the Attorney General has issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Drone Nerds to determine the company’s role in potentially violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The move is part of a broader effort by the state to guard against foreign adversaries using technology platforms to collect data and conduct surveillance on Texans.
In a statement, Paxton said his office will continue to aggressively pursue any threats tied to foreign influence. He emphasized that companies found enabling surveillance linked to the Chinese Communist Party will be held accountable under Texas law.