Extensive Use of Chinese Surveillance Technology in Ireland Sparks Security Debate

July 23, 2025

Across Ireland, Hikvision surveillance cameras — made by a Chinese state-linked firm — are widely deployed in sensitive public sites, from hospitals and universities to courthouses and government buildings. Unlike countries such as the US, UK, and Australia that have banned Hikvision from critical infrastructure due to national security concerns, Ireland has issued no guidance or restrictions. Despite reassurances from suppliers and claims that advanced functions like facial recognition are disabled, the lack of a coordinated response raises alarms. The issue is not only technical but geopolitical. Hikvision’s partial ownership by the Chinese government and its ties to surveillance in Xinjiang fuel fears about espionage and human rights abuses. While Hikvision denies wrongdoing, security experts warn of potential misuse in an increasingly connected and vulnerable public sector.