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The Australian Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras from its buildings made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies, Hikvision and Dahua.
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At least 913 cameras and video systems made by the companies are in use in Australian government and agency offices, including the Defense Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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Both Hikvision and Dahua are partially owned by China’s Communist Party-ruled government.
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The Australian Defense Minister said the department is assessing all its surveillance technology and removing the cameras where they are found.
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The U.S. government banned telecom and video surveillance equipment from several Chinese brands including Hikvision and Dahua in November to protect its communications network.
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Security cameras made by Hikvision were also banned from British government buildings in November.
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An audit in Australia found the cameras and security equipment were in almost every department except for the Agriculture Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
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The Australian War Memorial and National Disability Insurance Agency will also remove the cameras found at their sites.
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The opposition cybersecurity spokesman prompted the audit by asking questions over six months of each federal agency.
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Both Hikvision and Dahua are subject to China’s National Intelligence Law, which requires them to cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies, and concerns have been raised about sensitive information being sent back to China.