Minister States MoD Looking at Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Staff Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.

An defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.

Safety Advice for MoD Staff

During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.

The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a issue in every modern vehicles.

We have a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.

But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Wider Defence Background

The revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.

Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.

This wider security situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.