LILLEY: More proof that Doug Ford was right about threat of Chinese spy cars

Intelligence agencies in Europe, Middle East are warning about risks posed by connected Chinese-made electric vehicles

Published Oct 01, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

The idea that Chinese EVs could be considered spy cars is not new. Security experts have been raising concerns for years. Photo by PEXELS

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When Ontario Premier Doug Ford called them Chinese spy cars earlier this year, some foolish people laughed. Now there’s more evidence that Ford was right and more reason why Prime Minister Mark Carney should reverse course.

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The idea that Chinese EVs could be considered spy cars is not new. Security experts have been raising concerns for years. It also shouldn’t be controversial for anyone who reads the literature and news reports.

“Be consciously aware of espionage risks associated with modern vehicles,” says a brochure issued this week by AIVD, the Dutch intelligence agency.

While not specifically referencing China, reading between the lines makes it clear the brochure is all about Chinese EVs. Officials warn about cameras, microphones, GPS systems, infotainment systems and technology that connects with your phone.

“Be cautious about entering specific name/address/location details into the navigation system, such as a home address or sensitive location,” the document says.

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Electric vehicles may be spying on you. Photo by Toronto Sun illustration

Allies see the threat

Over the last few years, the sale of new vehicles made by Chinese companies has skyrocketed from a negligible number to almost 10% of all new cars sold. Proof that the brochure was referring to Chinese cars — and not those made in France, Italy or anywhere in North America — can be deduced from this section on state actors.

“For state actors, these data streams are an attractive source of information. Some state actors can request this data from companies or execute hack operations themselves to access the data or relevant systems,” the brochure says.

Earlier this year, around the same time Ford made his comments about Chinese cars, the head of Germany’s intelligence agency issued similar warnings.

“The threat of espionage through Chinese electric cars is real,” Stephan Kramer said.

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Following the data

In addition to the Dutch and Germans, Britain and Israel have also become wary. Defence staff and contractors in Britain have faced warnings about Chinese vehicles, while Israel pulled vehicles out of service over spying concerns.

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“For example, staff at RAF Wyton have been instructed to park cars that are built with Chinese components at least two miles away from the facility due to concerns over sat-nav and sensor surveillance,” reported Tech Radar.

The Times of Israel reported last November that the Israeli military was ending its use of several types of Chinese-made vehicles over security concerns, including spying.

Last month, Yahoo Autos reported on a study that showed Chinese-made EVs trying to connect with Chinese servers even when out of reach.

“Researchers drove a NIO ES8 electric SUV deep into a Norwegian underground mine specifically to sever its external connections. The car kept attempting to reach servers, most of them located in China,” the report said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and China’s President Xi Jinping. Photo by ARIF KARTONO/ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS /GETTY IMAGES

Ottawa looks away

The report also said that 90% of data was transmitted to servers in China regardless of where the vehicle was operating.

Earlier this year, Carney agreed to a deal to allow 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into Canada, growing to 79,000 over the next several years. Canada’s auto industry and American officials don’t support this deal because they see it as a threat.

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The Americans have even mused about keeping them out of the U.S. if a Canadian tried to drive one across the border.

It seems several of our allies have their eyes wide open to the threat posed by cars made in China, filled with microphones, cameras and sensors roaming our streets. The Carney government, meanwhile, is turning a blind eye to the problem.

Carney doesn’t need to believe Ford or the Americans, but since he says we are the most European of non-European countries and wants to move us closer to Europe, perhaps he should listen to the British, Dutch and Germans.

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