Chinese 'spy cameras' found in ABC buildings: 'Remove immediately'
The ABC is removing Chinese-manufactured security cameras from three sites including its Sydney headquarters.
Security cameras linked to the Chinese Communist Party are being ripped out of ABC’s headquarters amid rising concerns over the devices being used for spying.
The Chinese-manufactured Hikvision and Dahua devices were uncovered across three sites including two regional locations and the Ultimo offices.
Q&A, 7.30 and Four Corners are among several prominent news programs run out of the Sydney building.
A spokesperson for the ABC confirmed to Yahoo News Australia the cameras are being removed.
"The ABC has identified Hikvision and Dahua CCTV cameras in three sites, including ABC Ultimo and two regional offices. The cameras are only located in general areas, not in workspaces. Work is underway to replace the cameras," the spokesperson said.
Shadow Cyber Security Minister James Paterson said the ABC should have known better.
“It is ironic the ABC has Hikvision cameras given they have reported themselves on the national security risks and human rights implications of these Chinese Communist Party linked companies,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“Now that they have been identified they must be immediately removed, like in all other Commonwealth entities.”
Chinese cameras found inside government buildings
It comes after the Commonwealth confirmed almost 1000 Hikvision and Dahua cameras were installed in federal government buildings.
Dozens of cameras have already been removed from the government offices, while Victoria's department of government services was doing its own audit of security cameras in the state's government buildings and precincts.
Premier Daniel Andrews could not be drawn on whether he was concerned some cameras were compromised.
"I don't think that serves anybody's interests," he told reporters last week.
There are 60,000 Chinese-made surveillance systems in Australia – how concerned should we be?
China rages as FBI backs in Covid lab leak theory: 'MOST LIKELY'
Data published in The Age last Wednesday showed there were 9,000 internet-enabled Hikvision cameras operating in metropolitan Melbourne.
There were hundreds more installed across the regional cities of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton.
Both the US and the UK have banned the surveillance systems due to their security risks.
Hikvision is the largest manufacturer of video surveillance equipment in the world, with Dahua the second biggest.
The US put both Hikvision and Dahua on a blacklist, where all companies on the list were found to be “acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States”.
with AAP
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
