The biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner for England and Wales reported that surveillance cameras made by Chinese manufacturers are in use across both places. In November, the U.K. government told police and similar agencies to stop deploying devices from makers subject to China’s intelligence-gathering law, and to consider removing any that are already in use, for fear of security risks. (The Logic)

Talking point: The survey found the most popular Chinese camera products are from Hikvision, a manufacturer recently barred from sales in the United States. Fifteen police and security agencies reported using Hikvision devices, with smaller numbers saying they have surveillance gear from Dahua, Huawei, Nuuo or Honeywell (an American company that uses Chinese components). One particular problem the commissioner pointed out: police often don’t know what their gear’s full capabilities are when they buy it, or after applying software updates.