An defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been advised to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official activities, from vehicle usage to communication habits.
