{
  "id": 15299006,
  "title": "Talk about a backseat spy: Chinese-made cars caught filming Norway’s military",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/talk-about-a-backseat-spy-chinese-made-cars-caught-filming-norways",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/tech-gadgets/2026/10/18/talk-about-a-backseat-spy-chinese-made-cars-caught-filming-norways-military/239422"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese-made cars stationed at Oslo airport during a Norwegian military exercise inadvertently captured sensitive information, including access codes and officials' movements, sparking security concerns. Three rental vehicles, specifically two Deepal cars made by Chinese state-controlled automaker Changan, were supplied by Hertz Norge, which is indirectly owned by Chinese automotive group Geely. Soldiers on duty found videos stored in the cars' systems, revealing who was entering and exiting the vehicles, their routes, and even the codes used to access military facilities. While it's unclear whether the recordings were shared with a third party, particularly in China, Lieutenant Colonel Per Gunnar Grosberghaugen confirmed the discovery to AFP. The military persisted in using the vehicles until the end of the exercise due to a lack of alternatives, and soldiers deleted the videos afterwards. The incident underscores the paradoxical situation where Europe's armies enhance their defenses against espionage and hybrid threats, yet the vehicles they utilize could inadvertently collect sensitive data. Despite this, the military insisted on implementing tailored security measures for each site, including potential bans on vehicles with cameras and sensors, regardless of their origin. Hertz Norge affirmed compliance with Norwegian and European regulations, stating that they do not share personal data with manufacturers, owners, or third parties without legal justification. Changan did not respond to AFP's inquiries. The case highlights vulnerabilities in modern vehicles, which are not the only potential security risks. Wearable technology, such as smartwatches and fitness apps like Strava, have also been implicated in exposing sensitive military information. In 2018, Strava data revealed military sites and soldiers' routes in Afghanistan and Syria, while in March, a sailor using the app located the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in real-time in the eastern Mediterranean. Norway's National Security Authority warns that modern vehicles are \"rolling computers that collect information,\" emphasizing the need to avoid excessive dependence on a single country to mitigate potential security risks.",
  "summary": "OSLO, Oct 18 — Chinese-made cars filmed sensitive information during a Norwegian military exercise, including acce...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}