Government Official States Ministry of Defence Looking at Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Staff Told to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
An defense official has stated that the MoD is actively examining the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been advised to refrain from talking about secret information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss secret material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider defence environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, including transport use to discussions practices.