Norwegian Military Uncovers Undisclosed Dashcam Recordings in Leased Chinese Cars

The Norwegian Defence Forces learned that a number of rental vehicles from a Chinese maker were constantly capturing video throughout training drills, triggering an internal audit of procurement practices and data‑privacy procedures.

The army’s logistics division reported that the cars, fitted with factory‑installed dashcams required by Chinese law, automatically saved clips of personnel boarding, moving within the vehicles and inputting security codes on the consoles. The soldiers were not informed that the recordings were being made when the cars were rented.

Service members who spotted the footage after the drills alerted their commanders and then deleted the video files. These deletions occurred prior to any official inquiry being able to seize the material, sparking worries about lost evidence and the management of sensitive operational information.

The episode unfolded amid a scarcity of alternative transport for the military. A deficit of domestically produced vehicles compelled the army to turn to short‑term rentals to satisfy mobility requirements during training, a trend that has grown as defence budgets shrink.

Although dashcams are commonplace in numerous Chinese‑made automobiles to meet local traffic‑monitoring regulations, their deployment in overseas military settings remains poorly understood. Specialists point out that while such cameras can provide useful information for accident analysis, they also introduce privacy and security concerns in sensitive operations.

Norway’s defence ministry announced it will review the rental contract’s clauses and consider whether extra measures—like disabling the recording feature—are needed for future purchases. The incident highlights the difficulties armed forces encounter when incorporating commercial technology into operational environments, particularly when the gear comes from regions with differing data‑collection standards.