- Questions raised over Chinese espionage via influx of China-built cars
- Travel and location, text messages and documents that are said to be at risk
- Connecting a phone to a Chinese car has been compared to using an unknown USB
The British government and military personnel have been warned of security concerns about the use of Chinese built cars, according to reporting from In the paper.
For example, staff at RAF Wyton have been asked to park cars built with Chinese components at least two miles away from the plant due to concern about SAT-NAV and sensor monitoring.
Warnings also cover connections between Chinese built cars and their driver’s phones, including Bluetooth connections and even charging the phone via the cable.
Chinese cars are under investigation
Apart from the sensing of location and surroundings, microphones in certain cars could potentially be used for intercepting the Chinese state. As such, staff are warned not to connect cell phones to Chinese -made cars or discuss work inside them, where large defense companies such as BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Thales allegedly take protective measures.
The concern is that there is the potential for cars to harvest travel, text messages, voicemails and sensitive documents, and to connect a phone to a car has been compared to connecting an unknown USB drive to a work computer.
Chinese electric cars in particular have become incredibly popular in the UK just over the past few years, often undermined established brands and offer similar levels of quality and standard equipment. However, it is not only Chinese brands that have been affected by the allegations – other brands that use Chinese components also risk potential protective measures.
Some cyber security experts say the concerns are valid considering China’s espionage story. National Intelligence Law also requires Chinese companies to help state intelligence on request, so espionage via cars is completely plausible. On the flip side, however, widespread espionage has not yet been proven via cars.
Mike Hawes, head of Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, noted: “All manufacturers with cars for sale in the UK must comply with relevant data protection rules and EVs are no different.”
