AUSTRALIA’S growing fleet of connected vehicles is attracting increasing scrutiny from cybersecurity experts and government agencies, with the nation’s domestic intelligence service warning that internet-linked cars may pose a significant security risk.

 

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has advised politicians and public servants against discussing classified or sensitive information while travelling in connected vehicles, citing concerns over the volume of data modern vehicles can collect and transmit.

 

Speaking before Senate Estimates last week, ASIO deputy director-general Lisa Alonso Love said government officials should remain mindful of the risks associated with connected vehicle technology.

 

“People should be conscious of the things that they are discussing in vehicles, knowing that people may be able to get that information,” she said.

 

The warning comes as connected vehicle adoption accelerates across Australia.

 

Industry estimates suggest around half of all vehicles on Australian roads were internet-connected in 2021, with that figure expected to rise to almost 95 per cent by 2035.

 

Cybersecurity researchers say modern vehicles have evolved far beyond traditional transportation devices.

 

University of Technology Sydney cybersecurity consultant Montii Abid said today’s vehicles are effectively mobile computers capable of collecting extensive amounts of personal information.

 

“The tech’ has moved away from being something simple to being a computer with a microphone, cameras, personal data, everything,” he said.

 

Connected vehicles can collect information ranging from location data and driving behaviour to contacts, call logs, smartphone metadata and, in some cases, audio and video recordings.

 

Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has previously found that most major vehicle brands operating in Australia collect driver data, with many sharing information with third parties.

 

Concerns have intensified amid the rapid growth of Chinese-built vehicles in Australia, particularly electric vehicles from brands such as BYD and MG.

 

However, cybersecurity experts note that privacy concerns are not confined to any one country or manufacturer.

 

Opposition special minister of state James McGrath has called for a review of taxpayer-funded parliamentary vehicle programs following ASIO’s comments.

 

“The Albanese government cannot pretend there is no national security issue here, when these vehicles are effectively rolling data centres,” he said.

 

Australia’s privacy watchdog, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), confirmed earlier this year it was investigating two Asian-based vehicle manufacturers over potential privacy concerns relating to data collection practices.

 

The regulator said particular attention was being paid to the collection and handling of location data and whether manufacturers were gathering more personal information than was reasonably necessary for vehicle functionality.

 

Cybersecurity experts say consumers should familiarise themselves with the privacy settings available within their vehicles and review manufacturer privacy policies to better understand what information is being collected and how it is used.

 

While connected vehicle technology enables features such as remote access, over-the-air software updates and enhanced infotainment systems, industry observers say balancing convenience with privacy and security will remain a growing challenge as vehicle connectivity becomes increasingly commonplace.

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IN A tranche of recent ANCAP testing Chinese brands Chery, MG and MG sub-brand IM Motor all achieved the maximum five-star rating from the independent car safety assessment body.

 

The Tiggo 7 Medium segment SUV and Tiggo 8 Large segment SUV achieved the top rating across both ICE and Super Hybrid variants of the range.

 

Drilling deeper into the crash testing data we find both vehicles were scored by ANCAP at 82 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 86 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 80 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 82 per cent for Safety Assist features.

 

“The availability of safe alternate-powered SUVs continues to expand, with testing confirming all Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 plug-in hybrid variants hold five-star ANCAP safety ratings, alongside their petrol counterparts,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.

 

“With these ratings, Chery has demonstrated high levels of vehicle safety performance, regardless of powertrain.”

 

Responding for Chery, chief operating officer Lucas Harris said, “We are delighted to receive the prestigious five star ANCAP safety rating for the 2025 Tiggo 7 and 8 models.”

 

“This acknowledgement highlights our steadfast dedication to delivering vehicles that adhere to the most stringent safety standards, offering assurance and peace of mind to our customers,” he added.

 

Moving to Chinese competitor MG we find a similar ANCAP five-star outcome for both the Small SUV segment MGS5 EV and IM 5 Medium segment sedan (assessed as a large sedan in ANCAP’s ratings) each recognised as ANCAP Safety Top Performers for 2025 which deliver “best-in-class protection for Australian drivers, passengers and road users”.

 

The accolade anoints ANCAP’s leading safety performers for 2025, representing the safest new vehicles across each segment in Australia.

 

Each year, ANCAP identifies the strongest-performing vehicles based on their results across Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist categories.

 

“Recognition of these MG models as ANCAP Safety Top Performers is another proof point for Australian drivers, reinforcing our dedication to safety, quality and innovation,” said MG Motor Australia head of product Meng Chen.

 

“These accolades were previously the preserve of expensive European vehicles, and it’s our commitment to consistent improvement that means with MG you can trust you’re getting truly world class safety, along with unbeatable value without compromising on technology, performance or style.”

 

The ANCAP top performer results reflect the increasing demand for high levels of safety performance across the most popular vehicle types and set the benchmark for safety performance in Australia for 2025, showing consumers and fleets the safest options on local roads.

 

In hard data, the IM 5 scored 89 per cent for Adult Occupant protection (90 per cent for the MG S5 EV), 91 per cent for Child Occupant Protection (86 per cent for the MG S5 EV), 85 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection (82 per cent for the MG S5 EV) and 79 per cent for Safety Assist features (79 per cent for MG S5 EV).

 

ANCAP five-star-rated MGs now include the ZS, HS, QS, U9, MG 7, and the MG 4.