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Chinese surveillance cameras found in affordable EVs sold in Australia

Cameras from Dahua, removed from government buildings, are now in Leapmotor vehicles, raising security concerns

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Just a year after hundreds of Chinese CCTV cameras were removed from federal government buildings over surveillance fears, cameras from the same company – Dahua Technology – have resurfaced in Australia inside a new brand of electric vehicle, the Leapmotor C10. The development has prompted warnings from former cybersecurity officials that such vehicles could be used as real-time surveillance devices near sensitive sites.

The removal of Dahua cameras from federal buildings and defence sites in 2023 generated headlines at the time. However, as the surveillance company faced sanctions globally, it pivoted to making cars. The Leapmotor brand arrived in Australia in 2024, competing as one of the most affordable EVs on the market.

The Leapmotor C10 is equipped with six cameras providing a 360-degree view of the car's surroundings and interior. Some of these cameras are made by Dahua, yet there is nothing preventing the car from being driven around Defence sites or parked nearby.

Alastair MacGibbon, a former national cybersecurity adviser, said the microphones and cameras on EVs and connected cars made them ideal surveillance devices. An EV parked near a government building could record staff entry and exit times and map work patterns, he said, creating "a near perfect real-time picture of Australia".

In August, Four Corners visited a public car park in Canberra situated between the headquarters of ASIO, the Department of Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate. The car park contained 22 EVs, almost half of which were Chinese brands.

Concerns have led to bans overseas. The UK last year banned Chinese EVs, and even those with Chinese components, from some sensitive sites and training bases, in one case demanding they park more than three kilometres away. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia has some restrictions in place, citing examples of people driving connected vehicles being told to park a long distance away, but noted the country lacks a blanket ban.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The presence of Dahua cameras in affordable EVs sold in Australia reintroduces surveillance hardware that was previously banned from government buildings, potentially allowing monitoring of sensitive sites.
  • As more Chinese-brand EVs enter the market, the risk of a "mesh" of video and electronic intelligence – described by former cybersecurity adviser Alastair MacGibbon as providing a near real-time picture of Australia – increases.
  • The lack of a blanket ban on Chinese EVs at Australian military and intelligence locations contrasts with measures taken by the UK and other allies, raising questions about national security policy gaps.

Background

In 2023, hundreds of Chinese CCTV cameras made by Dahua Technology were removed from Australian federal government buildings and defence sites over espionage concerns. As Dahua faced international sanctions, the company pivoted to automotive manufacturing, becoming a major stakeholder in Leapmotor. The brand entered the Australian market in 2024 as a low-cost EV option, offering a suite of driver-assistance cameras. EVs and other connected cars typically include multiple cameras and microphones, making them potential platforms for covert surveillance if compromised.

Key Perspectives

Security experts: Alastair MacGibbon argues that Chinese-connected vehicles should be banned from military bases, warning that their cameras and microphones could be used to collect intelligence on personnel movements and operational patterns. Government: Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke acknowledges restrictions exist for some connected vehicles at sensitive sites but has not announced a blanket ban, suggesting the government is assessing the risk case by case. Industry and consumers: No perspectives from Leapmotor or consumer advocates were included in the reporting, but the affordability of the vehicles makes them attractive to a broad market, potentially complicating any future restrictions.

What to Watch

  • Whether the Australian government introduces a blanket ban on Chinese-branded EVs at military and intelligence facilities, similar to the UK.
  • Any statements from Leapmotor or Dahua addressing the presence of Dahua cameras and data security measures.
  • Potential expansion of restrictions to other government buildings or critical infrastructure.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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