Government Official Confirms MoD Looking at Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Staff Advised to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from talking about classified matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider defence environment highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, from transport usage to communication practices.
