In an exclusive investigation, it has been revealed that at least two-thirds of Britain’s police forces are potentially using advanced car hacking software to extract vast amounts of data from vehicles, ranging from satnav entries to social media content. Despite this, 30 out of the 45 main police forces in the UK have refused to disclose under Freedom of Information (FOI) rules whether they employ such technologies.
Privacy campaigners have expressed deep concerns over what they describe as “unacceptable secrecy,” stressing that the public remains in the dark about the extent and frequency of car data being accessed for criminal investigations. This has led to calls for stringent regulation and independent oversight of the police’s use of this intrusive surveillance technology.
Modern vehicles, equipped with upwards of 75 computer systems, can generate approximately 25GB of data per hour of operation. This includes detailed information on vehicle operation and personal data from mobile phones synced with the car’s infotainment systems. This “vast treasure trove” of data is proving increasingly valuable to law enforcement for both accident investigations and criminal cases.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has responded by emphasizing that ethical considerations and existing legislation are central to the deployment of new technologies within the forces. However, privacy advocates argue that there is a significant lack of transparency about how and why these tools are used, which could potentially lead to misuse.
Recent revelations also highlight the growing industry around digital vehicle forensics, with companies like the US-based Berla Corporation leading the way in providing software that can download and analyze data from vehicles. Berla’s iVe system is reportedly used by major law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the US Secret Service.
The investigation has confirmed that at least 13 UK police forces have contracts with or staff trained by Berla, though most forces contacted have either not responded or refused to confirm their use of such technology. Only two forces, Derbyshire and Gwent, have openly admitted to using the technology, emphasizing its application in serious criminal investigations under strict guidelines.
This scenario has sparked a broader debate about privacy, with concerns that the vast amount of data modern vehicles collect could be accessed not just by law enforcement but potentially by other unauthorized entities. Privacy International, among other groups, is pushing for greater public awareness and regulatory frameworks to govern the use of car data to prevent its potential abuse.
As the automotive and technology landscapes continue to merge, the call for clear laws and robust oversight mechanisms to protect individual privacy in the digital age becomes increasingly urgent.
