Why the U.S. military bans Chinese automaker BYD vehicles on a military base

Chinese cars are arousing growing suspicion among military circles. The U.S. military has just banned BYD vehicles from accessing an air base in Japan. This decision comes a few days after another concerning discovery in Norway, where Chinese cars captured sensitive information during a military exercise.

Modern cars have become true computers on wheels. Cameras, GPS, constant Internet connectivity—these features make driving easier but can also pose risks to data privacy. It seems the military is beginning to take this issue very seriously.

BYD cars banned at a U.S. base

As of October 26, 2026, BYD vehicles are no longer allowed on the U.S. Air Force base at Kadena, located on Okinawa Island in Japan. This facility holds a strategic position for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also read

The UK no longer wants Chinese electric cars near its military sites

The ban applies to both military personnel’s personal cars and taxis, delivery vehicles, as well as those used by external contractors. According to Reuters, the U.S. military views their presence as “an unacceptable risk to the safety of personnel and operations.” The country has not detailed the specific factors that led to this decision. This measure comes amid tensions between Washington and Beijing. In June, the Pentagon added BYD to a list of companies suspected of supporting the Chinese military. The manufacturer disputed this designation.

Problems in Norway

A few days earlier, a similar incident made headlines in Norway. During a military exercise held in September near Oslo Airport, soldiers discovered that several Chinese vehicles had recorded sensitive images. The videos showed the movements of military personnel, the routes taken, and even the codes used to access certain facilities. At least two of the vehicles involved were Deepal models, a brand owned by the Chinese Changan group.

Be careful not to draw hasty conclusions. There is no proof that this data was transmitted to Chinese authorities. The recordings were found in the vehicles’ systems, but their possible transmission has not been proven.

A problem that goes beyond Chinese cars

This case raises a broader question: what happens to the data collected by our cars? European, American, and Korean models also come equipped with cameras, microphones, and geolocation systems. Norway has even chosen not to ban Chinese cars outright. Military authorities prefer restrictions tailored to the sensitivity of the installations, which could potentially apply to all vehicles fitted with sensors.

In the UK, some military installations also refuse Chinese vehicles, while the Ministry of Defence continues to use them for routine operations. Thus, this issue goes far beyond BYD. With the increasing number of connected cars, data protection has become a matter of national security.