Poland Banned Chinese Cars From Military Bases. Here Is What Those Cars Can See

What Happened

Poland's General Staff announced on February 18, 2026, that Chinese made vehicles are banned from entering military facilities. The decision followed a risk analysis examining the growing integration of digital systems in modern vehicles and the possibility of what the army called "uncontrolled data acquisition."

The ban extends beyond Chinese brands alone. All vehicles capable of recording location, video, and audio will be prohibited from secure military areas unless those recording functions are switched off. Additionally, military personnel are now forbidden from connecting official army phones to infotainment systems in any vehicle produced in China.

The concern is specific: Chinese producers might share vehicle collected data with their government under China's national intelligence laws, which can compel companies and citizens to cooperate with state intelligence operations.

What Modern Cars Actually Collect

The amount of data a modern vehicle collects would surprise most drivers. According to research by the Mozilla Foundation, cars are "the worst category of products for privacy" they have ever reviewed. A typical connected car can collect:

• Location data: GPS coordinates logged continuously, creating a complete record of everywhere you drive, how long you stay, and what routes you take
• Video: External cameras used for parking assist, dashcams, and autonomous driving features record the vehicle's surroundings, including other vehicles, buildings, and people
• Audio: In cabin microphones used for voice commands and hands free calling can capture conversations inside the vehicle
• Driving behavior: Speed, acceleration, braking patterns, and steering inputs are logged continuously
• Connected device data: When you pair your phone via Bluetooth or plug it in, the infotainment system can access contacts, call logs, text messages, and media files
• Biometrics: Some vehicles include driver monitoring cameras that track eye movement, facial expressions, and attentiveness

This data is not theoretical. It is actively collected and, in many cases, transmitted to the manufacturer's servers. For electric vehicles with always on cellular connections, data transmission can happen in real time without the driver's knowledge.

Why Chinese Vehicles Are Different

Every car manufacturer collects data. What makes Chinese produced vehicles a specific security concern for governments is the legal framework they operate under. China's 2017 National Intelligence Law states that organizations and citizens "shall support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence work." A 2021 data security law further requires companies to store vehicle related data on servers in China and submit to government security assessments.

For a vehicle parked at a military installation, this creates a clear risk scenario. Exterior cameras could photograph restricted areas, GPS logs could reveal movement patterns of military personnel, and in cabin audio could capture classified conversations. If that data is transmitted to servers under Chinese jurisdiction, intelligence agencies would have legal authority to access it.

Poland is not the first country to recognize this risk. The United States has proposed restrictions on Chinese connected vehicle technology, and the European Commission launched a review of data security in imported vehicles in 2025.

The Civilian Implications

Poland's ban applies to military sites, but the data collection capabilities that triggered it are identical in civilian vehicles. The same cameras, microphones, and GPS trackers are built into cars parked in your driveway, your office parking lot, and your neighborhood streets.

This is not only a Chinese vehicle issue. American and European automakers collect similar data, often with privacy policies that grant broad rights to use, share, and sell vehicle generated information. A 2023 study found that 84% of car brands share or sell driver data, and 56% will share data with law enforcement without requiring a court order.

The difference is jurisdiction. Data on American or European servers is subject to domestic privacy laws and court oversight. Data accessible to a foreign intelligence service under compulsory national security laws is a fundamentally different risk category.

What Poland Might Do Next

The Polish army said it is exploring technical solutions that would allow manufacturers to apply for security clearance rather than maintaining a blanket ban. This could lead to a certification process where vehicles demonstrate that their data collection and transmission systems meet military security requirements.

Such a framework could eventually extend to civilian government agencies and critical infrastructure facilities, creating a tiered system where vehicles must meet data security standards before entering sensitive areas.

How to Limit Your Car's Data Collection

Most drivers have limited control over their vehicle's data practices, but some steps can help:

• Review your vehicle's privacy settings. Some manufacturers allow you to opt out of certain data collection categories, though the options are often buried in infotainment menus
• Avoid pairing your personal phone with rental cars or vehicles you do not own. Infotainment systems often retain contact lists and call logs after disconnection
• Disable always on connectivity features if your vehicle offers that option. Some cars allow you to deactivate cellular data transmission
• Read the privacy policy for your vehicle's connected services app. Many drivers are unaware of how broadly their data is shared
• Factory reset infotainment systems before selling or returning a vehicle to remove stored personal data

Poland's decision to ban Chinese cars from military bases is a recognition that modern vehicles are surveillance platforms on wheels. The question for everyone else is whether the same data collection that concerns a military installation should concern you in your daily commute.