Chinese-made cameras banned from government buildings show up in EVs

In the wake of a 2023 controversy where Chinese CCTV cameras were removed from federal government buildings due to surveillance concerns, a similar situation has emerged in the form of Chinese-made EVs entering the Australian market. Leapmotor, a brand under Dahua Technology, has gained traction as one of the most affordable electric vehicles available.

These vehicles come equipped with a suite of cameras, including six cameras in the Leapmotor C10 model that provide a 360-degree view of the car's surroundings and interior.

Alastair MacGibbon, a former national cybersecurity adviser, has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of these cameras and microphones in EVs as surveillance devices. According to MacGibbon, EVs and some connected cars could serve as an ideal surveillance tool due to their microphones and cameras, allowing for the recording of personnel entering and exiting government buildings, as well as mapping their work schedules.

He further noted that the aggregated data from these vehicles could create a near-perfect real-time picture of Australia, highlighting potential crises or scaling-up government activities.

In August, Four Corners conducted an investigation at a public car park in Canberra, situated between major government sites such as ASIO, the Department of Defence, and the Australian Signals Directorate. The investigation revealed that approximately half of the 22 EVs parked in the area were Chinese brands from Leapmotor. This finding has led to concerns about the potential for Chinese EVs to be used for real-time surveillance purposes, resulting in these vehicles being banned from military sites overseas.

In the UK, Chinese EVs and those with Chinese components were similarly banned from sensitive sites and training bases, with some military personnel requesting a minimum distance of 3 kilometers.

While Australia has implemented certain restrictions, it does not share the blanket ban imposed by other countries. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke acknowledged that precautions are being taken, but not to the extent seen in other nations. The Department of Defence declined to disclose specific restrictions for connected vehicles.

China has shown a cautious approach towards foreign EVs, particularly those owned by strategic rivals. In 2021, China banned Tesla vehicles, even those produced in Shanghai, from political enclaves and some defense sites. Opposition Defence spokesman James Paterson emphasized the need to consider the implications of Chinese-made products, stating that if China perceives a risk, the same concern should apply to products manufactured in China and sold in Australia.

Leapmotor has expressed its ambition to become the "Huawei of the automotive world." The company has an ongoing procurement contract with a Dahua subsidiary to supply cameras, sensors, and radars to Leapmotor. Four Corners acquired a Leapmotor rear camera, which contained a Dahua identifier, indicating the presence of Dahua technology in the vehicle.

Despite the numerous cameras and sensors present in these EVs, MacGibbon argued that these connected vehicles should be barred from military bases, intelligence facilities, and other sensitive sites, given the significant risk they pose to national security.