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In a strategic move to safeguard sensitive information, the Polish military has prohibited Chinese-manufactured cars from accessing its facilities. This decision stems from concerns that these technologically advanced vehicles might collect and transmit sensitive data.
Modern automobiles, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and communication technologies, have the potential to gather extensive data, including video footage, audio recordings, and precise location information. The Polish army issued a statement highlighting the risk of such data being shared with Chinese authorities, prompting this preventive measure.
While the primary focus is on vehicles from China, the new rules extend to any car capable of recording location, video, and audio. These vehicles are barred from entering secure military zones unless their recording functions are disabled, thereby broadening the scope beyond just Chinese brands.
Additionally, the army has implemented a ban on connecting official military phones to the infotainment systems of any Chinese-manufactured vehicles, further tightening security protocols.
The army emphasized that these measures are precautionary and align with security practices adopted by other NATO member states.
The army also said it was looking into technical solutions to enable producers of cars with such advanced functions to ask for security clearance, which could potentially be used in the future instead of a blanket ban.
The presence of Chinese vehicles on the Polish market has expanded significantly in the last years, with Chinese models representing over 8% of newly registered cars in Poland last year, according to Warsaw-based market research firm IBRM Samar.
At the same time, the U.S and its European partners have been making efforts to protect sensitive technology and information from foreign snooping, including by China.
Responding to earlier reports that Poland might be preparing such a ban, Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China´s foreign ministry, told reporters in January that China was following the developments and that the abuse of the concept of national security must be stopped.