The vigilance of a beat constable in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has uncovered a major conspiracy against the country. Investigations have revealed that live feeds from internet-connected CCTV cameras installed in sensitive areas were being sent directly to Pakistani servers.

Given the seriousness of this matter, the Home Ministry has decided to audit CCTV networks across the country and implement strict new regulations to prevent espionage.

This espionage case came to light when several small, suspicious solar-powered cameras were found installed near sensitive locations in the Sahibabad area. These cameras were connected to foreign servers and posed a significant threat to the country's internal security.

Police and investigative agencies have taken swift action against this network and have so far arrested 22 people, including women and minors. Several electronic devices and cameras have been seized and sent for forensic examination.

​China-made cameras pose a significant threat of data theft. Nearly 80% of CCTV cameras used in India are from China, and they are considered extremely risky from a security perspective. Countries like the US, UK, and Australia have already banned Chinese cameras.

According to Home Ministry sources, the potential for data theft and espionage through these cameras is always present. This is why the central government is now going to initiate security audits of CCTV networks across the country in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other security agencies.

The government has set strict standards to prevent data leaks and hacking, effective April 1, 2026. Only cameras that are certified and hack-proof will be sold in the market.

Camera standards will be mandatory to pass government security testing (Standardization Testing and Quality Certification). Currently, out of hundreds of models available in the market, only 53 models from seven companies have been found to be completely safe and certified.

This threat is not limited to national security, but also poses a significant attack on the privacy of ordinary citizens. Examples include Israel hacking Iranian traffic cameras to track VIP movements, and hacking footage of passengers at Sonipat railway station and sharing it on digital platforms.

Section 66E of the IT Act makes recording or sharing private footage without permission a punishable offense, but the lack of a unified database has led to gaps in the surveillance system.

The investigation also found that various agencies across the country currently install cameras on their own, with no shared control or database. Following the audit report, the government may implement a unified network system with unique registration and real-time monitoring.

Additionally, experts like Supreme Court lawyer Virag Gupta have stressed the need for heavy penalties and strict laws to prevent data misuse.