V-16 flare: alert for risk of vehicle tracking and theft

Rafael López, a Spanish cybersecurity expert, warned of the risks associated with the mandatory use of connected V-16 emergency beacons. Although they were designed to increase road safety, these devices can become tools for criminals.

The main concern lies in the integrated geolocation system, which can facilitate the tracking and even theft of these vehicles.

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The vulnerability of geolocation and the risks of fraud

The V-16 beacon sends the exact position of the vehicle to a central traffic platform, allowing authorities to identify breakdowns or accidents quickly. However, López points out that access to this information may not be as secure as expected.

Sharing location data creates loopholes that can be exploited by malicious actors in the following ways:

• Target tracking: criminals can intercept the device’s GPS signal to locate vehicles;
• Public exposure: the lack of protocols makes coordinates accessible, generating real risks of abuse and improper monitoring;
• Insufficient cybersecurity: the interception of data by hackers allows not only physical theft, but also the application of scams against drivers;
• Compromised privacy: the monitoring of drivers’ driving habits can occur without proper consent through system failures.

The balance between road safety and privacy

Spain has made these light signals mandatory to prevent drivers from having to get out of the car on high-speed roads. The debate raised by experts highlights the global challenge of implementing security technologies without compromising privacy and property security.