Government Official Says MoD Examining Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
An defence official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified information in all cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader security environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of government operations, including transport usage to discussions practices.
