Could China spy on us through our electric cars?

Ulez currently may be Westminster’s favourite talking point, but sharper MPs and ministers are more concerned about the emissions from the front of your car than the back: data, lots and lots of it.  

Buried in the electronic control unit of every new electric car is a cellular internet of things module (CIM). The CIM is a vital component of the system which controls the sensors, cameras, audio, geolocation capability, engine and more. Connected to the internet like your mobile phone, it acts as the gateway for information to go in and out of a car. Manufacturers use that information to improve design and performance. They send back software improvements and updates. 

So why are ministers worried? Back in January, iNews reported that ‘officials had dismantled British government vehicles and swept them deliberately for Chinese tracking SIMs.’ It meant CIMs (the abbreviations are close and cause confusion).