At least 51 municipalities have cameras from Chinese tech companies Hikvision or Dahua hanging. These hang not only in public places, but also in sensitive places such as the front door of a ministry or embassy. Because of concerns about spying and human rights violations, 10 municipalities have decided to phase out the cameras.
So writes NOS based on its own research (1). Journalists Joost Schellevis and Thomas Spekschoor sent all 355 municipalities in our country questions about the cameras they use. Some 150 municipalities responded to the questions.
Hikvision and Dahua are controversial Chinese companies. Privacy experts believe the manufacturers have built a backdoor or "loophole" into their products. In theory, it is then possible to remotely view and spy on camera images. Chinese law also requires companies to hand over confidential information they can get their hands on through their products to the government, intelligence agencies or military if national security is at stake.
"It's interesting for a foreign intelligence agency to take a look in there and see who all walks in," sinologist Ardi Bouwers told NIS. She refers to sensitive locations where manufacturers' cameras hang. For example, Hikvison cameras hang at various ministries, embassies, the Peace Palace and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. There, officials, ministers, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries walk in and out daily.
Such information is extremely sensitive. That is why security cameras from Hikvision or Dahua are not allowed to hang at government buildings in the US. The European Parliament previously decided to ban Hikvision and Dahua cameras. For fear of spying, governments in other countries are banning cameras from these Chinese companies.
Dutch municipalities are less reluctant. In The Hague alone, there are at least 134 cameras from Hikvision. Also in our capital city, Amsterdam, there are hundreds of security cameras from Hikvision or Dahua. According to Follow the Money, which also investigated the cameras of these companies, there are at least 26,000 cameras from Hikvision hanging in our country. Dahua has almost 10,000 (2)
That is not without danger. "If there is no backdoor in the software now, that doesn't mean it can't be put in. The manufacturer could add it with a software update, for example," said Bart Jacobs, professor of computer security at Radboud University Nijmegen. Casper Wits, associate professor of East Asian Studies at Leiden University, warns that the Chinese government may not be interested in the images recorded by the cameras now, but may be in five years.
The General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) has warned about digital espionage for China more than once in recent years. The country, according to the AIVD, has an "offensive cyber program" and poses "a threat to Dutch security.
In addition to The Hague and Amsterdam, Hikvision and Dahua's cameras also hang in Lelystad, Zoetermeer, Schiedam and dozens of other municipalities, according to NOS. Because the companies' cameras are so controversial, 10 municipalities have decided to phase out the cameras, or are considering doing so.
NOS has asked Hikvision and Dahua for a response. Hikvision denies all allegations. "Hikvision is a company that is largely publicly traded on the stock exchange," a spokesman said. He emphasizes that the company is not involved in human rights violations at home or abroad. He further denies that the company has access to the camera footage.
Dahua says the company is not state-owned, but a private company. It denies any involvement in human rights abuses and says it does everything it can to protect customer data.
