Launched in 2014, Hikvision Canada has maintained a strong market presence in the country, supplying cost-effective end-to-end security and Artificial Intelligence with the Internet of Things (AIoT) solutions that cover IP cameras, facial detection, intrusion alerts, smart home devices, industrial automation, and building management systems. Apart from banning Hikvision Canada's operations, the decision also bans all government organizations and crown corporations from buying and using Hikvision equipment. “Following a National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act, the Government of Canada has ordered Hikvision Canada Inc. It is important to clarify that Canada’s latest action restricts to government's use of Hikvision products and does not apply to products made by Hikvision affiliates outside of Canada. While Canadian authorities did not share the findings leading to the decision, they say that the ruling is based on a multi-step review of information and evidence provided by the country's security and intelligence community. Responding to the latest development in Canada, Hikvision has issued a statement condemning the decision and calling the allegations unfounded and politically motivated. The firm also notes that, during the security review, it responded to all of Canada’s requests for information with speed and transparency but never received evidence that substantiated the decision to ban its products in the country. Though solid evidence of such allegations has not been published, multiple governments, including the US, have banned the sale of Hikvision products based on security reviews. The order was forwarded to Hikvision last Friday, and the matter was made public over the weekend by Mélanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Hikvision has faced regulatory scrutiny worldwide in recent years based on its ties to the Chinese government and the potential of its devices serving as a medium for collecting intelligence and for espionage. The Canadian government has ordered Hikvision’s subsidiary in the country to cease all operations following a review that determined them to pose a national security risk. “We strongly disagree with this decision and view it with deep concern, as we believe it lacks a factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency,” responded Hikvision.
This Cyber News was published on www.bleepingcomputer.com. Publication date: Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:15:16 +0000