UK to remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive government sites
- The statement did not name specific firms, but lawmakers have previously called for a ban on the sale and use of security cameras made by Hikvision and Dahua
- Britain barred TikTok on government phones in March, while in 2020 it said it would ban Huawei from its 5G network
Britain has committed to the removal of Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive government sites as part of its latest plans to address national security concerns related to China.
Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has cast China as the world’s greatest challenge to security and prosperity, the government told its departments last year to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings.
In an announcement setting out a proposed tightening of procurement rules, the government said:
“We will also commit to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites.
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“By committing to this timeline, we are providing reassurance and urgency around the removal plans.”