Canada Orders Hikvision to Cease Operations Due to National Security Concerns

Canadian authorities have ordered the Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to cease operations in the country, citing national security concerns, according to Reuters, referencing Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

Hikvision, also known as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, has been subject to numerous sanctions and restrictions from U.S. authorities over the past five years. These measures are connected to the company’s activities and the use of its equipment in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where human rights organizations have reported widespread abuses against the Uyghur population and other Muslim communities.

Joly explained that Canada’s government concluded that Hikvision’s continued operations could harm the nation’s security. This decision followed a thorough review of information provided by Canadian intelligence and security agencies.

In her announcement, Joly did not specifically mention China or Xinjiang, nor did she detail the specific threats that Hikvision might pose to Canada’s national security.

A Hikvision representative expressed strong disagreement with the decision, stating, «We are deeply concerned because we believe this lacks factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency.» He added, «Instead of evaluating our technologies based on cybersecurity, the decision seems to be based on the country of origin of the parent company, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and unwarranted bias against Chinese companies.»

Hikvision urged the Canadian government to base its actions on facts rather than prejudices, advocating for fair and transparent conditions for all businesses and investors.

The Chinese company claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of surveillance equipment. Last year, Hikvision announced that it had ended contracts in Xinjiang through five subsidiaries that were blacklisted by the U.S. in 2023. The Chinese government denies all allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang.

According to Joly, Canada is also banning the procurement of Hikvision products for government departments and agencies and is conducting a review of existing installations to ensure that the company’s equipment is not used in the future.