Denmark Panic Because Hundreds Of Chinese Electric Buses Are Allegedly Shutting Down Remotely

JAKARTA The transportation authority in Denmark is conducting an investigation into the findings of serious security holes in hundreds of electric buses made by Yutong from China. Where the buses are suspected of enabling long-distance access to disable vehicles.

Denmark's largest transportation operator, Movia, is known to operate 469 electric buses from China, of which 262 units come from Yutong. Concerns arose after transportation operators in Norway, Ruter, discovered a new fact. Where, Yutong buses are equipped with software updates and remote diagnostics through an internet connection that can be accessed directly by manufacturers. Movia Chief Operating Officer Jeppe Gaard, said his party had just realized that electric buses are like electric cars.

Buses can be remotely disabled if the software system provides access via online networks. Responding to this, Yutong explained that vehicle data operating in the European Union market is stored in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center in Frankfurt, Germany.

The data, according to the company, is only used for maintenance and improvement of full-sale services, and has been encrypted with a strict access control system. As reported by Reuters, Friday, November 7.

Although until now there have been no reports that the buses have actually been turned off remotely, Denmark's civil protection agency, Samsik, confirmed that they have not recorded any such deactivation cases.

However, the Ruter operator in Norway revealed that actually SIM card deletion can prevent long-distance access. Although the action risks deciding various other important systems on the bus.

According to Jeppe GUARD, this issue is not merely a matter of products from China, but a broader issue regarding the safety of connected vehicles. This is not about Chinese buses, but about all types of modern vehicles that have electronic devices with network connectivity," he said.

As a first step, the Danish authorities are working with operators and regulatory agencies to tighten cybersecurity requirements in the procurement of vehicles in the future. The steps being considered include improving the firewall system, delaying over-the-air (OTA) software updates, and re-examination of network access.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Commerce finalized a regulation banning the sale of hardware and software systems connected from Russia and China.

Even the tire manufacturers are not immune, as Pirelli's Cyber Tire technology, partly linked to China through Sinochem shares, is now facing potential restrictions under the supervision of the same connected vehicle.