Surveillance cameras from China: Canada orders closure of Hikvision Canada
Hikvision comes from China and sells surveillance technology. The company has been criticized for years. Now Canada is shutting down the subsidiary there.
(Image: Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock.com)
Canada's government has banned the local branch of Hikvision from doing business in Canada and has ordered its closure. This was announced by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. The background to this was a review from a national security perspective. On this basis, Canada's government came to the conclusion that it would be harmful for Hikvision Canada to continue its business activities. However, the review only related to the Canadian subsidiary of the Chinese manufacturer of surveillance cameras; others were not affected. Hikvision products from abroad can therefore still be purchased – even if this is not recommended. Only government agencies are now prohibited from doing so.
Criticism of Hikvision
It is not clear from the announcement exactly what risks to national security, Canada's government sees in Hikvision Canada's products. The company concerned has already harshly criticized the decision. It lacks a basis, a fair process and transparency. Instead, it appears to be based on unjustified prejudices against the Chinese home country of the parent company. We urge the government in Ottawa to make decisions based on facts. The decision would deprive people and companies in Canada of access to affordable and technically high-quality surveillance cameras.
Videos by heise
Hikvision has long been the focus of Western governments. In the USA, the import and sale of Hikvision products has been banned for years. In the UK, devices from the Chinese manufacturer may not be used in certain government buildings. Among other things, Hikvision is accused of being involved in the repression of the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang province. At the end of 2023, reports caused a stir that the company had installed surveillance technology at a university in China that would automatically alert those responsible if students were caught fasting.
(mho)
