Electric cars pose a potential threat to national security as they are vulnerable to Chinese spying, an official defence assessment by the Government’s spy lab has warned. The Telegraph has more.
A report by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) found that there were concerns Beijing – which dominates the market – could effectively eavesdrop on conversations using the vehicles, which are to be introduced for all ministers and officials by the end of 2027.
The warning in the report, which was delivered to the previous Tory government, contributed to fears at senior levels in Rishi Sunak’s administration that electric cars were “basically mobile spying platforms” and even those made in the West using Chinese parts were susceptible.
The concerns were raised amid the government fleet going green, given China’s dominance in electric vehicles.
Fears of Chinese spying were sufficiently high that the DSTL, an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence, was commissioned to look at so-called “connected vehicles” and whether they were vulnerable to spying by Beijing.
All electric vehicles are deemed to be “connected”, meaning that data and information are sent out beyond the vehicle, sometimes over the internet. Increasingly, petrol and diesel cars are also “connected”.
It is understood the first assessment from the defence scientists flagged broad concerns that electric vehicles and other connected cars could be used by the Chinese state to spy.
A second, more detailed examination was then commissioned by the Sunak government. That report had not been returned when the snap General Election was called for July 2024, leading to the Tories being removed from office.
One source in the Sunak government close to the conversations called it an “oh s—” moment when the implications of the government’s electronic vehicle push were realised.
The source said: “They are basically mobile spying platforms. The array of data you can pick up from these things is extraordinary, particularly conversations that happened in the car.”
Worth reading in full.
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Has anything good come out of the 21st C yet?
My children.
No
Well Miliband is a Chinese asset so all going to plan then.
They’re looking for any reason to scrap the boondoggles. Any reason apart from the facts that BEVs are just a total waste of everyone’s time and money and that they probably cause actual environmental damage, as opposed to proper cars. I suppose “National Security” (whatever that means, is it the same as “National Health”?) is as good an excuse as any.
They just can’t be honest, can they? Mustn’t lose face. Charlatans.
The connections I want are running water, affordable and reliable electricity, and internet access unfettered by Nanny.
The last thing I want connecting is my car – none of Nanny’s business. Clear off.
Cars?
Add to the list anything made in China and networked.
Your ‘smart’ doorbell, tumble dryer, tv, router …
They’re going to build a mega embassy so the whole country will be under their control then. The govt were warned by the security services regarding the cables that run under it but politicians are so in the thrall of communism they’re opening the doors, the Chinese already have much of our infrastructure under their control.
They play the long game. I’ve said for years, it’s not Russia we have to worry about, it’s the Chinese.
The Chinese are simply doing what we ask them to do and what we pay them to do.
I am neither worried by the Russians nor the Chinese. I am worried about USA and the subservient ‘West’, all fervently banging their war drums, simply because of our vastly exaggerated self-importance and our determination to dominate the rest of the world.
Australia has started the ball rolling! The home affairs minister (home security) has chosen to drive a Chinese ev, what a dangerous dipshyte!
https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/home-affairs-minister-tony-burke-accused-of-driving-chinese-ev/news-story/b4e5fbced8c980869b915f68869a1256