Surveillance equipment made by Chinese companies linked to the Chinese government has been discovered in three sites owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), including its headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney. Hikvision and Dahua cameras, banned in the United States and the United Kingdom over fears they could contain spyware, were found in the public broadcaster’s Ultimo headquarters and two other regional locations.
While the number of cameras discovered has not been confirmed, some are believed to be in secure areas within the Ultimo headquarters. The ABC has not yet confirmed whether the CCTV cameras were internet-connected.
The US Federal Communications Commission warned that the Hikvision and Dahua cameras held an “unacceptable risk to national security.” Both companies are subject to China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires organisations to hand over data to intelligence services if requested.
Shadow Cyber Security Minister James Paterson has called for the immediate removal of the devices and questioned why ABC had not done so already, given its reporting on the matter.
Last month, the Department of Finance confirmed that the Chinese-made cameras and intercom systems were being removed from the offices of almost 100 federal MPs. An audit found surveillance equipment in almost every department, including the Attorney-General’s, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence.
At least 913 cameras were found to be installed at over 250 government buildings. The government has launched an equipment audit, and advice is being provided to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on whether the cameras should be formally banned.
Hikvision has denied that its devices are a national security threat, calling suggestions “categorically false.” The Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been contacted for comment.
»ABC Chinese surveillance camera poses “unacceptable risk to national security.”«
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