Hikvision, also known as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., has been subject to multiple U.S. sanctions and restrictions for more than five years over its business dealings and equipment use in China’s Xinjiang region. Human rights groups have documented abuses against the Uighur community and other Muslim communities.
Hikvision’s continued operations in Canada would be “harmful to national security”
“The government has determined that Hikvision Canada’s continued operations in Canada would be harmful to Canada’s national security,” Joly said on the social media platform X. She added that the decision was made after a multi-step review based on information provided by Canadian security and intelligence agencies.
Joly’s statement did not directly mention China or Xinjiang, nor did it specify what specific threats Hikvision posed to Canada’s national security.
Hikvision: Firmly Oppose
A Hikvision spokesperson told Reuters: “We firmly oppose this decision and express serious concerns about it because we believe it lacks factual basis, procedural fairness and transparency.”
“This decision is not based on an assessment of the cybersecurity performance of our technology, but appears to be due to the national background of our parent company, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and unfounded prejudice against Chinese companies.”
The spokesperson also said that the company “urges the Canadian government to act based on facts, not prejudice, and to maintain a fair and transparent business environment for all companies and investors.”
As of now, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Hikvision claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of video surveillance equipment. The company said last year that five of its subsidiaries had terminated contracts in Xinjiang – these subsidiaries were added to the US trade blacklist in 2023.
Hikvision equipment is accused of being used for local surveillance activities in Xinjiang
Canada said last year that it was reviewing whether to impose sanctions on Chinese surveillance equipment companies, including Hikvision. Previously, human rights organizations said that these companies assisted the Xinjiang authorities in carrying out repression and surveillance activities.
The Chinese government denies any allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and has criticized companies that exclude Xinjiang companies from their supply chains or target them over human rights issues.
Joly also said Canada has banned government departments and agencies from purchasing Hikvision products and is reviewing existing facilities to ensure they are no longer using Hikvision equipment.
Joly added that the order does not apply to Hikvision’s affiliates outside Canada, but she “strongly” advised Canadians to “take note of this decision and make their own choices accordingly.”
