‘Source of data’: are electric cars vulnerable to cyber spies and hackers?

The report examines concerns that connected electric vehicles—especially Chinese-made models—could be exploited for surveillance via onboard sensors, over-the-air connectivity, and paired mobile devices, posing heightened risk to individuals in sensitive roles. Experts note the theoretical potential for data exfiltration but acknowledge no public evidence of such misuse, while advising caution with device pairing (particularly in rental cars). The UK government states it is assessing potential threats from vehicles broadly, with no centrally mandated bans, and industry asserts compliance with data privacy regulations.