Canada bans Hikvision as a threat to national security

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has officially ordered Hikvision Canada Inc. to cease all operations in the country, as its presence is recognized as a threat to national security.

The government’s statement is based on an internal investigation and data from Canadian intelligence agencies, which revealed serious risks associated with Hikvision equipment. In addition, all government agencies in Canada are prohibited from purchasing and using any of the company’s products. Citizens are urged to get rid of Hikvision surveillance cameras, which can potentially transmit data abroad. At the same time, the company itself expressed indignation, stating that the government’s decision is groundless, politically motivated and discriminatory, and its technologies have not been evaluated from a cybersecurity perspective.

Hikvision is a Chinese manufacturer of surveillance cameras that has been at the center of international scandals for several years. The company’s products have been banned in the US, Australia and the European Parliament over suspicions of built-in backdoors and collaboration with Chinese security agencies. Under Chinese law, private companies are required to hand over data to the government if national security concerns require it, which is why Western countries view Chinese technology as vulnerable to espionage.

Canada is once again taking a tough stance on digital threats from abroad, following the example of its Five Eyes allies. The Hikvision ban is not only a signal to its citizens about the risks of technology with a dubious reputation, but also a message to all suppliers: national security comes first, even when it comes to technologically advanced but geopolitically sensitive solutions.