Misgivings Arise Among Ministers as Concerns Mount Over Potential Chinese Car-Spying Activities in Britain

The ability to remotely surveil cars is made possible by the presence of “cellular modules.” These small components are found in various modern devices, including cars, smart meters, computers, electric vehicle chargers, and white goods. They allow for internet connectivity, enabling the transmission of large amounts of data about their surroundings.

These modules serve the purpose of monitoring and controlling various systems in a car, facilitating software updates to enhance vehicle performance. However, they also pose a potential risk for spying and malicious interference.

China currently has a dominant position in the global market for supplying these modules. Even non-Chinese companies incorporate components from China into their products. Charles Parton, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, warns that China could leverage this technology to extract vast amounts of data while also exerting control over cars to operate in harmful ways.

The Government’s Procurement Bill allows for the exclusion of Chinese companies from sensitive areas, such as supplying government cars. However, Mr. Parton believes that cellular modules from China still pose a security threat if they continue to be present in vehicles owned by British citizens in general.

For instance, Mr. Parton explains, “Let’s imagine I purchase a car with one of these Chinese modules installed, and I’m invited to speak at a defense establishment. If that car has cameras, the modules could be utilized to activate the cameras and gather data. Ultimately, there needs to be a ban on any Chinese module in any vehicle, and it should be implemented promptly.”

Mr. Loughton suggests that the Government should contemplate more stringent measures beyond the existing 10% tariff on Chinese cars. He states, “We must decide whether to impose import controls on these vehicles.”