Thank you for posting your question to the Community, @tkelly_uk.
Let me share some insights about ActiveX control in QuickBooks. ActiveX control in Internet Explorer is necessary when you export your data. Also, the objects are part of the Desktop plugin when using Excel. The error you're experiencing may be caused by the ActiveX file being corrupted and when this happens, all you need is uninstall it to fix the issue.
It seems that the objects are hidden in purpose so that it'll load smoothly when processing the data. Since this is the back-end programming side of things, it'd be best to contact Microsoft directly to learn more about why an ActiveX control is initiated.
You can always drop by here if you have other questions or concerns. The Community is open 24/7 if you need further assistance. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.