I have a few friends who are paranoid about the government spying on them, using their phones to listen to them and track where they go. I usually tell them they’re not interesting enough to get spied on. The concept sounds a bit far-fetched at first, like the plot of a sci-fi thriller, but a recent investigative report by Haaretz found that Israeli companies are using “car intelligence,” or CARINT, to gather information for the government and private clients. In other words, the government is using your car to spy on you after all.
Israeli firms like Ateros, Rayzone, and Toka have all developed CARINT technology that can track your vehicle’s movement and remotely access audio and video inside the cabin. Haaretz reported that Toka, founded by Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former army cyber chief Brig. Gen. Yaron Rosen, had even developed a way to access a vehicle’s hands-free microphones and dashboard cameras. This product was approved by the Defense Ministry. Toka has since stopped selling the product, although it still sells systems that exploit security vulnerabilities in certain car models, allowing you to track the car’s route and listen to passengers inside. Meanwhile, Rayzone’s CARINT tool analyzes travel patterns using location data, SIM card communications, and roadside camera feeds, then cross-references this information with publicly available data to identify drivers.
“By analyzing location data and travel patterns, the technology allows governments to track targets using the SIM cards installed in the car while monitoring the vehicle’s wireless and Bluetooth communications,” Haaretz said. “The tech also cross-references with roadside cameras to identify license plates and other data possessed by government agencies. This is part of a wider trend in which cyber intelligence firms are ‘fusing’ data, not just collecting it.”
All of this technology has only been improved by the implementation of AI.
United States isn’t safe from CARINT technology
Just because you don’t live in Israel doesn’t mean your car is safe. In the United States, the FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA) have access to the same information. However, they’ll just ask automakers for it instead of hacking into your car. But America is likely following in Israel’s footsteps, as it often does — just without showcasing its CARINT-focused companies and services as proudly. According to Haaretz, the United States also has companies that use vehicle information in large-scale data analytics. And they often check out new ones at CARINT-focused expos around the world.
It’s not really a shocker, as vehicles have become more reliant on technology and connectivity. These security companies’ CARINT technology can utilize a vehicle’s tire sensors, hands-free microphones, and other everyday devices. Systems that seem mundane, systems that you never really think about. Combining this data gathered from your vehicle with government data lets them know basically everything there is to know about you. So I guess they will see my embarrassingly slow track times last month. Great.
Cybersecurity experts have been warning us: the more connected cars are, the more they can be remotely exploited. If you insist on a newer model, all you can really do is be aware of the possibilities. Or maybe it’s time to finally get that vintage sports car of your dreams. You may have to stop repeatedly for gas, but at least you can pick your nose in peace. You won’t be putting me in some booger-picking data chart, FBI. Not in my Lotus Elise. Good luck with that!
