More than one million Scots are being monitored by Chinese-made surveillance cameras without their knowledge.
Devices manufactured by Hikvision, a Chinese state-owned company linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), are being used by police and local councils across Scotland, according to The Times. The company also has ties to the People’s Liberation Army, the CCP’s military wing.
Hikvision has been labeled a security risk, and in 2021, the UK Foreign Affairs Committee called for a nationwide ban on its use, but the ban currently only includes sensitive government buildings.
Concerns have been raised that data captured by the cameras could potentially be shared with Beijing under China’s national security laws, which compel firms to cooperate with the Chinese government. Hikvision, however, denies any claims of sharing footage with Chinese authorities.
Despite security fears, Hikvision cameras remain widely used across Scotland. The Scottish Government has pledged to remove all such devices from its properties, but Police Scotland continues to deploy them.
A spokesperson for the force said they were aware of concerns and were keeping up-to-date with the latest intelligence reports on the matter.
They said: “There are a large number of CCTV cameras across the Police Scotland estate and a number of these will be designed by Hikvision or include Hikvision components.
“Additionally, a number of the cameras used by Police Scotland are owned by local authorities. We are aware of the issues raised by the foreign affairs committee and will continue to engage with the Scottish government.”
Highland Council, Stirling Council, and Orkney Council are the only three in Scotland that do not use Hikvision cameras.
And, data obtained by The Times shows that public security camera networks in East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, and South Lanarkshire all utilize the Chinese-made devices.
Additionally, council leaders in Aberdeen, Angus, East Ayrshire, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Moray, North Lanarkshire, Shetland, and South Lanarkshire have confirmed they have no plans to phase out the Hikvision cameras.
A spokesperson for The Scottish Government added: “All Hikvision cameras have been decommissioned.”
In a statement, Hikvision said: “The replacement integrated system will improve and future-proof the security of the Scottish government estate and is ongoing.
“The government’s decision endorses the security credentials of Hikvision’s products, and adds to a growing consensus around the safety and integrity of Hikvision technology across the UK and Ireland, as well as internationally.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.