The Polish Armed Forces have implemented a ban on vehicles manufactured in the People’s Republic of China from accessing protected military facilities, following a risk analysis concerning the increasing integration of digital systems in vehicles and the potential for uncontrolled data acquisition and use. This decision was announced by Colonel Marek Pietrzak, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.
According to Pietrzak, the measure is intended to “strengthen the protection of military infrastructure and limit potential threats to security.”
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Similar restrictions on Chinese vehicles were previously introduced by the State Protection Service.
Reports indicate that the Main Police Headquarters has also implemented comparable restrictions, applying to its internal parking facilities at its headquarters and various police facilities located throughout Warsaw, including those on Domaniewskich, Rakowiecka, Wiśnowa, and Iwicka streets, which are used for logistical purposes.
A report from the Centre for Eastern Studies highlights the risks associated with the presence of Chinese vehicles, pointing to their ability to scan the surrounding environment and collect data about the user. The move by the Polish military reflects a broader concern among governments regarding data security and potential espionage risks associated with connected vehicles, a growing area of focus for cybersecurity professionals and policymakers.
