Minister States MoD Looking at Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, with Staff Instructed to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The broader defence situation underscores the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
