Perth and Kinross Council stops buying Chinese-manufactured surveillance cameras after security risk warning
Hikvision is partly owned by the Communist Party of China and there have been concerns the equipment could be used for spying. UK government departments were told to stop installing cameras made by Chinese firms at “sensitive sites” last year.
Thursday 2 March 2023 15:51, UK
A Scots council has temporarily stopped buying Chinese-manufactured surveillance cameras over potential security risks.
Hikvision cameras have been installed widely across the UK, both in the public and private sector.
The firm is partly owned by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and there have been concerns the equipment could be used for spying for the Chinese government, which the company has denied.
Perth and Kinross Council put a pause on purchasing any more Hikvision cameras following a security briefing.
A spokesperson said: "The council is aware of the concerns about the security of these cameras through various national groups attended by officers.
"This is a UK-wide issue and it is clear these cameras have been widely installed across the public and private sector.
"As soon as the council received word of this issue, via a security briefing, it established a moratorium on any further procurement of them.
"Council officers remain actively engaged with the various UK and Scottish security groups considering this and we await further guidance from government."
There are currently 170 cameras across the council estate.
The local authority said no further Hikvision equipment has been bought since last summer.
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'We need to be tough on China'
Scottish Conservative councillor Noah Khogali used to live in China and is pleased the council has agreed to stop buying more Hikvision equipment.
However, he is "frustrated" that the local authority continues to use the Hikvision cameras already installed.
The Strathearn councillor told Paste BN that "we need to be tough on China".
He added: "Chinese surveillance isn't a far-off concept that only affects national government.
"Hikvision has found its way into our towns, villages, care homes and who knows what else.
"I hope that those elected members who continue to be soft on this issue realise how important it really is to the security of our local populations, but especially those who have fled persecution from the CPC and sought safety in Perthshire."
UK government departments were told to stop installing cameras made by Chinese firms in "sensitive sites" last November.
It was also announced last year that the US government would ban equipment from several Chinese brands to protect its communications network.
And in February, Australia announced it would remove Hikvision and Dahua equipment from its defence department buildings.
Councillor Khogali added: "My time living in China taught me how important this issue is. It is surprisingly easy to forget that you are being perpetually watched all day, every day, by a genocidal, expansionist regime.
"We must stand up against that at home, in whatever capacity we can."
What the company says
Hikvision told Paste BN that technical analysis of the company's products "have never indicated they are a threat to the national security interests of the United Kingdom".
A spokesperson added: "It is regrettable that some individuals have been willing to politicise a critical element of the country's security architecture, thus reducing public trust in the vital work that our products support.
"As a manufacturer, Hikvision has no visibility into end-users' video data and cannot access end-users' video data.
"In the UK, Hikvision does not store end-users' video data and does not offer cloud storage.
"Therefore, Hikvision cannot transmit data from end-users to third parties.
"Hikvision cameras are compliant with the applicable UK laws and regulations and are subject to strict security requirements.
"Further, Hikvision takes all reports regarding human rights very seriously and recognises our responsibility for protecting people.
"As a market leader, Hikvision is committed to upholding the highest standards and respect for human rights."