Drivers have been warned that smart features in modern cars, including microphones, cameras, and GPS trackers, could potentially be used by hostile states for espionage. The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) has urged for "awareness of espionage risks around modern vehicles," highlighting that microphones could be remotely activated to listen to conversations.
The AIVD stated in a document released on Wednesday that cars are becoming "increasingly smart" with digital systems that collect data and connect to the internet. While offering practical benefits, these systems gather significant data about occupants, the vehicle, and its surroundings, which various parties, including state actors, could access.
The warning follows earlier reports from last year where British defence firms reportedly advised staff against connecting phones to Chinese-made electric cars due to fears of data extraction. Chinese-owned brands now represent 15% of all new cars registered in the UK, with models from MG, BYD, and Jaecoo leading this surge, often chosen for their low price and in-car technology. The Jaecoo 7 was the UK's bestselling car in March.
The AIVD also noted that connecting phones and other devices via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or charging systems could allow malicious actors to "extract data from connected devices via the vehicle." It suggested that systems like GPS navigation, telematics modules, and charging stations could be used to collect and transmit data about the car and its drivers' locations.