Australia to remove Chinese-made surveillance cameras from defense sites amid national security concerns
This came after an audit found 900 pieces of surveillance equipment manufactured by companies Hikvision and Dahua on government property.
Britain and the US made similar moves last year, citing concerns that the Chinese government could gain access to device data.
Hikvision says these concerns are unfounded. Dahua has not responded to a request for comment.
An audit of Australian government sites found cameras and security gear were in place at more than 200 buildings, in almost every department – including the Departments of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General.
At least one unit was also found in the Department of Defense, but the total number at defense locations is unknown.
Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday the government would search and remove cameras from any defense sites to make them “fully secure”.
“I don’t think we should overstate [the seriousness] … but it’s an important thing that’s been brought to our attention and we’re going to fix it,” he said, adding the devices Doing what was premature in his office. .
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said the government would review whether cameras on other government buildings needed to be removed.
Shadow Cyber Security Minister James Patterson, who requested the audit, says they do.
He said Australia had no way of knowing whether data collected by the devices was being passed on to Chinese intelligence agencies.
China’s national security law can be used to compel any organization or citizen to “cooperate, assist and cooperate with government intelligence work.”
Senator Peterson also argued that Australia should not support Hackvision and Dahua for “ethical” reasons. He said both companies are directly involved in alleged human rights violations and mass surveillance of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Hikvision says it is “blatantly wrong” to call them a threat to national security.
“No reputable technical body or assessment has reached this conclusion,” a spokesman said.
He said the company says it cannot access end users’ video data and therefore cannot transfer it to third parties.
But in November Britain also blocked the installation of any new surveillance cameras made by Dahua and Hikvision in “sensitive locations” over security concerns. She also said she would review whether existing equipment should be removed.
Days later, the US banned the sale and import of new communications equipment from five China-based companies, including Dahua and Hikvision.
Prime Minister Anthony Albany said he was concerned about how the Chinese government might react to the move. “We act in Australia’s national interest. We do so transparently and we will continue to do so,” he told reporters.
Relations between China and Australia soured after Canberra banned Huawei from its 5G network in 2018, and China responded with trade restrictions and tariffs on Australian exports such as coal, lobsters and wine.
But relations are improving under the centre-left government, which came to power in May 2022.
