Modern cars’ smart features could be used to spy on you, drivers warned
Hostile states could access cameras, microphones or GPS, says Dutch spy agency amid concerns over Chinese imports Drivers have been warned that the smart features built into modern cars such as microphones, cameras and GPS trackers could be used by hostile states to spy on them. The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) called for “awareness of espionage risks around modern…
The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) has warned drivers that advanced features in modern cars could potentially be used by hostile states to spy on them. These smart features include microphones, cameras, and GPS trackers that can be remotely activated to listen in on conversations, capture visual data, and track the vehicle's location.
The AIVD's warning comes amid a surge in Chinese-made car imports into the UK, which now account for 15% of all new cars registered in the country. Popular brands such as MG, BYD, and Jaecoo, whose parent company Chery is partly owned by the Chinese state, have contributed to this trend due to their affordable prices and cutting-edge technology.
According to the AIVD's translated document, the increasing connectivity of cars allows various parties, including state actors, to access data about occupants, the vehicle, and objects or people in the vicinity. The agency urged drivers to avoid holding confidential conversations inside or near their vehicles, as well as using external cameras when traveling to sensitive locations.
Additionally, connecting phones and other devices through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or charging systems could enable malicious actors to extract data from connected devices via the car.
The Dutch intelligence agency also mentioned the possibility of activating microphones and cameras remotely, potentially allowing eavesdroppers to listen in on conversations and record events inside and around the vehicle. To mitigate potential threats to national security, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reportedly banned cars with Chinese parts from sensitive military sites, including RAF Wyton and the Dorset headquarters of the Special Boat Service.
While the Chinese embassy in London rejected the AIVD's allegations as "imaginary and purely fabricated," the warning highlights concerns over potential espionage risks associated with modern vehicles and the need for heightened awareness among drivers.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
