Senior officials in the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) have been cautioned against discussing sensitive information in government-issued electric vehicles over concerns that Chinese manufacturers could be using them for surveillance, according to media reports.
The UK government recently incorporated hundreds of Chinese-made electric vehicles into its fleet to reduce its carbon footprint. However, reports from the Daily Mail and The Sun—outlets previously criticized for sensationalism—suggest that these vehicles may be equipped with covert microphones capable of eavesdropping on confidential conversations.
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An unnamed MoD source cited by the media described the situation as a security risk: “It’s crazy. A lot of these electric cars are used by senior officers, who know a lot of secrets.” In response, an MoD spokesperson stated, “We have strict security procedures in place to ensure sensitive information is protected.”
According to reports, the MoD currently operates 745 electric and 1,414 hybrid vehicles. While some sources suggest officials may inadvertently discuss classified matters while commuting, others argue that high-ranking personnel are unlikely to reveal critical intelligence in such settings.
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The concerns mirror similar measures taken by the United States, which has restricted the use of Chinese-connected vehicles due to potential data collection risks. Washington has particularly scrutinized Chinese-developed software, citing national security threats associated with its use.
Source: The Sun
