Ministers to wage war on car theft and hacking amid self-driving vehicle fears
CAR makers will have to protect new vehicles from hackers and thieves, ministers will say this week.
There are fears smart and self-driving vehicles could be stolen or controlled by criminals
The crackdown comes amid fears smart and self-driving vehicles could be stolen or controlled by criminals.
Drivers could also become victims of fraud if they lose personal data stored on the car.
Transport Minister Lord Callanan said that a combination of new-style internet-connected machines and self-driving technology would revolutionise travel.
We must make sure the public is protected
He warned: “We must make sure the public is protected. It is important that vehicles will be able to guard against cyber attacks.”
Smart cars are increasingly common on British roads.
They allow drivers to access maps, travel information and new digital radio services all from the driving seat.
Smart cars are increasingly common on British roads
But there are fears that they, and self-driving cars, could become more and more vulnerable to hacking.
Under a system called “spoofing” a gadget can masquerade as a key fob to open doors.
There are also concerns that sensors could be jammed and personal information stripped.
All hail the self driving car
Under guidelines to be unveiled this week smart cars must be able to withstand cyber attacks.
Importantly, the vehicles must not have a single weak point – such as keys.
Manufacturers will be held responsible to securely protect cars from hacking and drivers must be able to wipe personal details if they believe they are cyber attack victims.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, welcomed the Government guidelines.
He said: “These vehicles will transform our roads and society, dramatically reducing accidents and saving thousands of lives.
“A consistent set of guidelines is an important step towards ensuring the UK can be among the first, and safest, of international markets to grasp the benefits of this exciting new technology.”
The Government wants to make the UK a world leader in self-driving technology
Ministers hope that the guidance will ensure engineers develop tough cyber protections.
At the same time the Government wants to make the UK a world leader in self-driving technology.
Legislation announced in the Queen’s Speech aims to create a framework for self-driving vehicle insurance and will ensure protection for consumers against technology failure.
Ministers want to make Britain a hub for research and development.
They believe that the new car technology could boost the economy and deliver thousands of jobs.