John Swinney says he will examine whether more can be done to ensure Chinese surveillance cameras are not used in the public sector.
The ongoing use of Hikvision cameras by Scottish councils in CCTV and by Police Scotland was raised at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.
UK Government departments were ordered to stop installing Chinese-made surveillance cameras in November 2022 due to security concerns, while the Scottish Government has removed them from its premises.
The Times reported earlier this week that 22 councils continue to use devices made by Hikvision.
Conservative MSP Liz Smith asked the First Minister to examine what decommissioning work is taking place, saying some councils have removed the devices while others have not.
She said Hikvision technology had been used by Chinese state security and intelligence law could compel companies like Hikvision to hand over information to the government.
Swinney said: “Any decision on security cameras in local authorities is for councils to make.
“While local authorities may choose to follow the lead of the Scottish Government, where we have decommissioned all Hikvision cameras in the Scottish Government estate, they are under no obligation to do so.
“I will take away the points Liz Smith has raised with me and explore whether there is more the Government can do to perhaps align better the activities of all public authorities in Scotland to address the legitimate points which have been accepted by the Scottish Government.”
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