Senior officers at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have been advised not to engage in sensitive conversations while travelling in electric vehicles, following fears that Chinese-made cars might be secretly recording and transmitting discussions. The alert, issued in the form of a security notice, comes as the MoD has leased hundreds of electric vehicles (EVs) to meet its net-zero goals.
The concern stems from the potential for inbuilt microphones in these vehicles, which could be picking up and transmitting confidential information to foreign powers. The warning primarily impacts high-ranking officials who may be privy to top-secret intelligence, with many using the vehicles for official purposes, including discussions of classified matters while on the move.
The MoD has increasingly relied on electric cars to align with sustainability goals, but the growing use of vehicles from Chinese manufacturers, particularly MG, has raised eyebrows. MG, owned by the state-run Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, is one of the primary suppliers of these vehicles. There are currently 745 electric cars and over 1,400 hybrids in the MoD’s fleet, many of which have been sourced from China.
One MoD insider expressed concern over the potential risk, noting, “It’s crazy. A lot of these electric cars are used by senior officers, who know a lot of secrets. It’s normal to discuss work when they’re driving, especially if everyone in the car is cleared to the same level or working on the same project. They aren’t used to thinking the car might be listening, especially if the car has been issued by the UK MoD.”
Despite the alarm, an MoD spokesperson reassured that national security remains a top priority, stating, “Protecting national security is the foundation of everything we do. We have strict security procedures in place to ensure sensitive information is protected.”
The MoD has taken precautionary measures by banning sensitive discussions in electric vehicles, although it remains unclear how extensive these security protocols are in relation to the risk posed by Chinese-made vehicles.
Concerns about Chinese-made technology and surveillance have sparked further scrutiny. Reports have reached out to MG and BYD, another Chinese car manufacturer, for comment on the allegations, but responses are pending.
With tensions over national security continuing to rise, the MoD will likely come under increasing pressure to review its procurement policies and assess the risks associated with foreign-supplied technologies in the defence sector.
