Executives at two of the nation’s leading defence giants have told The i Paper that the entire sector is taking a “cautious” and “belt and braces” approach to the possibility of the Chinese state spying on staff via the country’s electric vehicles (EVs).
The latest disclosure of security worries relating to Chinese EVs could also raise concern among some EV buyers, who are increasingly turning to brands like BYD because of their affordability and longer range.
It is understood that the UK’s leading military production groups, including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, and Raytheon, as well as US defence giant Lockheed Martin and French defence and cyber security firm Thales, are among those firms that have taken precautions against the potential for Chinese EVs to spy on their staff.
Such precautions include not parking in production plant car parks, not discussing their work in the car, and not connecting mobile phones via Bluetooth or a charging cable.
Chinese EV manufacturer XPENG insisted it’s new G6 SUV adhered to all UK and EU privacy laws (Photo: XPENG/PA)“In the same way that Government departments and defence firms have long told staff not to plug memory sticks into their work laptops to prevent security breaches, it is a sensible precaution not to plug your phone into your car because all the data could become vulnerable.”
A spokesman for Lockheed Martin said: “As a global defence and technology leader Lockheed Martin prioritises the safety and security of its facilities, employees, and operations around the world and has a robust, ongoing process to reduce and mitigate risk.
Defence companies are major espionage targets
Joseph Jarnecki, a research fellow in cyber and technology at the Royal United Service Institute, believes defence contractors are taking a measured and sensible approach to the potential security threat posed by Chinese vehicles.
Following President Donald Trump’s international tariffs, which have resulted in tariffs more than doubling the price of an EV from China in the US, motor industry experts believe the UK could see a flood of cheap Chinese EVs being imported.
Chinese EV brand BYD has become popular (Photo: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty)A spokesman for XPENG, which recently launched its all-electric G6 SUV in the UK, denied its cars spy on drivers.
“To demonstrate our privacy compliance in the UK and EU, we have two globally recognised privacy information management certificates.”
Under China’s National Intelligence Law, Chinese companies are required to cooperate with state intelligence work upon request.
James Bore, managing director of cyber technology firm Bores Group, said: “I am yet to see any evidence that there is malicious software being spread by Chinese cars.
“The moment it does, the Chinese car company market collapses, and that’s not the sort of economic upheaval that China really wants.”
“The industry is committed to upholding a high level of customer data protection, including proportionate use of data, including apps and paired mobile phones, which can be removed from cars according to individual manufacturer instructions, giving peace of mind to motorists.”
BYD, MG, Ora, Geely, Volvo, and Polestar did not respond to requests for comment, nor did the Chinese Embassy in London.
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