Concerns over China's surveillance technology have been raised regarding its use in guarding iconic symbols of democracy, with cameras installed at Salisbury Cathedral and the Parthenon temple in Greece. The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has called for the removal of CCTV systems made by Chinese companies Dahua Technology and Hikvision due to their alleged involvement in "genocide or crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang.
Dahua's cameras, which have been installed at the cathedral, were touted as helping ensure the safety of a copy of Magna Carta sealed in 1215. However, the WUC claims that Dahua's technology has contributed to the persecution of Uyghurs through facial recognition systems designed to identify and automate police reporting.
In Greece, Hikvision cameras have been monitoring the Parthenon temple, sparking concerns over potential espionage. Campaigners urge its removal, citing reports of systemic vulnerabilities allowing Russian hackers to access footage during the invasion of Ukraine.
These developments come as Keir Starmer's visit to China has shed light on the issue. Oleksii Kuprienko, a Ukrainian organization representative, revealed instances where footage from surveillance cameras appeared to have been accessed and broadcast online, potentially used by Russia for psychological warfare against Ukrainian civilians.
The use of Chinese-made CCTV systems at these sites raises significant questions about national security and the protection of democracy's foundational symbols. As authorities review their security measures, concerns over human rights abuses and espionage cannot be ignored.
Dahua's cameras, which have been installed at the cathedral, were touted as helping ensure the safety of a copy of Magna Carta sealed in 1215. However, the WUC claims that Dahua's technology has contributed to the persecution of Uyghurs through facial recognition systems designed to identify and automate police reporting.
In Greece, Hikvision cameras have been monitoring the Parthenon temple, sparking concerns over potential espionage. Campaigners urge its removal, citing reports of systemic vulnerabilities allowing Russian hackers to access footage during the invasion of Ukraine.
These developments come as Keir Starmer's visit to China has shed light on the issue. Oleksii Kuprienko, a Ukrainian organization representative, revealed instances where footage from surveillance cameras appeared to have been accessed and broadcast online, potentially used by Russia for psychological warfare against Ukrainian civilians.
The use of Chinese-made CCTV systems at these sites raises significant questions about national security and the protection of democracy's foundational symbols. As authorities review their security measures, concerns over human rights abuses and espionage cannot be ignored.
! I mean, our iconic landmarks are basically under surveillance by a country that's been accused of human rights abuses? It's like, what's next? Are we gonna have Chinese-made CCTV systems at our own national monuments too? 
And for what? To keep us safe from "genocide" or whatever, but at the cost of our freedom and privacy? I don't think so! 
We need to be careful about who we're trusting with our security, especially when it comes to sensitive sites like these. Let's not forget that we're all human beings here, deserving of respect and dignity, not just numbers on a database 
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We need to be careful about who we trust with our surveillance systems, especially when it comes to countries with questionable human rights records. 
And can't we just boycott those cameras from Dahua and Hikvision until these concerns are addressed? 
It's time for some accountability! 
dahua and hikvision are like the ultimate sellouts, profiting off their systems being used to oppress people in xinjiang. 
it's like keir starmer thinks he can just waltz into china and gloss over the surveillance elephant in the room? 
. we need more transparency and accountability when it comes to our national security systems 
that these cameras were supposed to help keep the Magna Carta safe, but now it seems like they're being used to track down and oppress people. We need to be super careful about who we trust with tech that can be misused in this way 
I hope he's keeping an eye out for these kinds of issues! Anyway, it's crazy how much security you need to have when you're watching priceless history unfold 
Maybe it's time for authorities to take another look at who's behind the cameras and what their intentions are. 
and then there's this part about dahua's cameras being used to identify & report uyghurs... it's like, can we even begin to comprehend the scale of human rights abuses that china is committing over there?! 
Salisbury Cathedral and the Parthenon temple? 
Campaigners are right, we need to be super cautious about national security and protecting our democracy's foundation symbols. Can't we just have a safe space for selfies without feeling like we're being surveilled all the time?! 
Anyway, let's keep an eye on this and see what happens next... 
I mean, what message are they trying to send? Are they trying to show us who's got the most advanced security measures? 
It's just weird that these iconic democratic symbols are now being used as a tool for espionage. 
We need to be super careful about who we let install these kinds of systems in our own countries. 
The WUC is right on this one – we shouldn't be ignoring human rights abuses and espionage just because it's convenient. 
I'm not sure why these iconic places are installing cameras that could potentially be used against people. It's like inviting trouble to the doorstep of democracy. I mean, think about it - what if someone hack into these systems and start broadcasting our deepest secrets? Or worse, use them to track down activists or dissidents. It's a slippery slope, you know? And now we're talking about potential espionage at the Parthenon temple? That's just not right. Can't they see that these cameras are not just about security, but also about control and surveillance? 
We need to be careful about who we let into our lives - literally! 
and also super suspicious. and let's not forget about greece, where hikvision cameras are monitoring the parthenon temple - what if russian hackers get access to the footage?! 
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And hey, maybe this is the push we need to create more transparency and accountability around surveillance systems. Plus, let's give a shoutout to the Ukrainian organization rep who broke the story - that takes guts! 
