Minister Says MoD Examining Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, with Staff Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
An defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a concern in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet 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 staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader defence situation underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.