The British government issued a directive to its departments on Thursday asking them to avoid placing Chinese-linked security cameras at important locations due to security concerns.
Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said in a written statement to parliament that the choice was made following consideration of “current and future possible security risks associated with the installation of visual surveillance systems on the government estate.”
“The review has concluded that, in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required,” Dowden said.
The British guideline applies to cameras produced by businesses subject to Chinese security regulations and provides departments with instructions on how to detach such devices from primary computer networks and contemplate doing away with them entirely.
A number of lawmakers demanded ban on usage of security cameras made by Dahua and Hikvision
It comes after a number of legislators called for a ban on the use and sale of security cameras produced by Hikvision and Dahua, two partially state-owned Chinese companies, due to concerns about privacy and the possibility that the products of the companies may be connected to human rights abuses in China.
In a statement to Reuters, Hikvision refuted the allegations and promised to continue attempting to communicate with British authorities in order to comprehend the ruling.
“Hikvision cannot transmit data from end-users to third parties, we do not manage end-user databases, nor do we sell cloud storage in the UK,” a company spokesperson said.
Emails from Reuters seeking comment were not immediately answered by the Dahua British office. For cameras made by Hikvision, Dahua, and other Chinese companies, the US has placed a trade and usage restrictions. According to privacy activist group Big Brother Watch, the majority of British government agencies utilize Hikvision or Dahua security cameras.
Hikvision cameras are clearly visible on the front of several government buildings, including the interior and business ministries, the group had said.
“Departments have therefore been instructed to cease deployment of such equipment onto sensitive sites, where it is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China,” according to Dowden’s statement following the government review.
“Since security considerations are always paramount around these sites, we are taking action now to prevent any security risks from materializing.”
