Espionage on wheels? Poland bans Chinese cars from entering military areas

In a move that reflects the growing tension between consumer technology and national security in Europe, Poland has imposed severe restrictions on the entry of electric vehicles — especially those of Chinese origin — into its defense facilities. The ban stems from guidelines from the Military Counterintelligence Service, which identified espionage risks through the sophisticated sets of sensors, cameras and microphones embedded in these cars.

The central concern of the authorities is that such devices, designed for driving assistance, can be exploited to map strategic areas, collect sensitive data and transmit it to external servers. Although the measure targets Chinese industry, suspicion about “espionage on wheels” is widespread: recently, a Tesla vehicle was also prevented from accessing the 1st Armored Brigade in Warsaw.

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Market expansion and diplomatic response

The tightening of access rules coincides with an Asian commercial invasion of the country. By 2025, Chinese car sales in Poland quadrupled from the previous year, reaching a market share of 14.5%. The popularity of these models among civilians, attracted by the price and technology, contrasts with the defensive posture of the military.

Currently, the final decision on the blockade rests with the commanders of each unit, but the Ministry of Defense is working to standardize the ban. The focus is on vehicles capable of performing real-time data transmissions. In addition to the veto on entry into the complexes, it is being studied to prohibit the parking of these cars in adjacent perimeters to avoid the external mapping of the bases.

The diplomatic reaction was immediate. China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the move, urging Poland to halt what it called “abuse of the concept of national security” to justify trade and technology barriers. The episode marks another chapter in the geopolitical dispute involving data control in the era of the “internet of things”.