EXCLUSIVE: Officeworks Getting Into Bed With Chinese Security Brand Whose Products Have Been Described As High Risk

Their high risk security cameras are being removed from Federal Government buildings, but this has not stopped Officeworks from getting into bed with Chinese security Company Hikvision via their 100 per cent-owned consumer brand EZVIZ, which has been dropped by some of the biggest retailers in the world because of security concerns.

The Chinese Company is using an Australian flag in their marketing of the brand, even though there is nothing Australian about them.

According to sources, Officeworks, owned by Wesfarmers, has cut a deal to range the EZVIZ line of security cameras, which retailers Best Buy, Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart have stripped from their shelves.

The cameras are tipped to be ranged in stores shortly.

Another high-risk security brand is Eufy, who were recently caught out lying about the the security risks of their Chinese camera. Eufy is owned by Anker.

In Australia, struggling retailer Kogan is ranging the questionable camera line, which is owned by Hikvision.

Hikvision was added to the US government’s economic blacklist in 2019 after human rights watchdogs discovered the companies were connected to China’s imprisonment and persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Both Hikvision and Dahua supply surveillance equipment used to spy on the Uyghur population.

EZVIZ executives have said their cameras will be ranged at Officeworks shortly.

Recently, Chinese-made surveillance cameras and intercom systems manufactured by EZVIZ parent Company Hikvision were ordered to be removed from the offices of almost 100 federal politicians over security concerns.

The Department of Finance revealed in Senate estimates earlier this month that 122 devices made by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua have been installed in the electorate offices of 88 federal MPs.

The government is moving to remove and replace all the devices, which have been banned by governments in the United States and Britain.

An audit of government departments led by Liberal Senator James Paterson last week revealed that at least 913 Chinese-made devices were installed at government departments across the country.

When Home Depot stopped ranging the cameras from Home Depot an executive of the Company said, “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical sourcing, and we immediately stopped selling products from EZVIZ .”

ChannelNews understands that the decision to range the high-risk Chinese consumer market cameras was made by an Officeworks buyer.

Home Depot said at the time, “We are discontinuing our relationship with EZVIZ.”

ChannelNews is still waiting for a reply from Officeworks management.

Hikvision and their subsidiaries, including EZVIZ, are subject to China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires companies to hand over data to intelligence services if requested.