Four Corners reports remote access in BYD Shark 6
Four Corners reported that a cybersecurity expert remotely accessed functions in a BYD Shark 6, while separate privacy material pointed to ongoing scrutiny of connected vehicles.
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Four Corners shows remote access in BYD Shark 6
Four Corners has reported that a cybersecurity expert was able to remotely access a BYD Shark 6 and control functions including the lights, wipers, doors, speakers and microphone. The ABC said the vehicle’s digital access point had no password, allowing the researcher to take control of key systems in the plug-in hybrid ute. 42
The report said the car could also be tracked in real time and that audio from the vehicle could be used to obtain personal details through a connected phone. The ABC said the demonstration showed how remote access could expose data and in-car functions in a connected vehicle. 42
Privacy scrutiny around connected vehicles
Separate privacy material said the OAIC launched a 2026 privacy compliance sweep that included car dealerships among six sectors assessed for how they handle personal information. The same material said the sector faces wider scrutiny because connected vehicles can collect large amounts of data, including location history, voice data and camera footage. 911
A September privacy reform update said the Australian Attorney-General has released a consultation paper and exposure draft privacy bill aimed at emerging technologies, including connected vehicles. The proposed changes would strengthen data security and minimisation, and replace existing collection, use and disclosure rules with a fairness and reasonableness test. 911
BYD statement
In the ABC coverage, BYD said it has not and would not transfer data of Australians to Chinese authorities. The report also said BYD stated the data it collects is stored in Australia. 42
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Cited source mix
4 cited pages across 3 websites
- Role not assessed 4
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- abc.net.au2 pages
- brightlaw.com.au1 page
- spruson.com1 page
4 cited pages with an undocumented publisher role. Websites may share ownership or repeat the same reporting.
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- Chinese-made EV vulnerable to hacking - ABC listenRole not assessedShortened extract saved
Why these labels?Chinese-made EV vulnerable to hacking - ABC listen
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Cited in 3 paragraphs: Four Corners shows remote access in BYD Shark 6; BYD statement.
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Text retrieved 22 Sept 2026. The retained extract was cut to our text limit; omitted material has not been assessed here.
- We got a cybersecurity expert to hack this BYD. It was too ...Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?We got a cybersecurity expert to hack this BYD. It was too ...
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
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Cited in 3 paragraphs: Four Corners shows remote access in BYD Shark 6; BYD statement.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 22 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- OAIC privacy sweep 2026 | What Australian car dealerships ...Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?OAIC privacy sweep 2026 | What Australian car dealerships ...
Who produced it
We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
How this report uses it
Cited in 2 paragraphs: Privacy scrutiny around connected vehicles.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 22 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- Privacy reform update September 2026 - Bright LawRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?Privacy reform update September 2026 - Bright Law
Who produced it
We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
How this report uses it
Cited in 2 paragraphs: Privacy scrutiny around connected vehicles.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 22 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
Other collected links (11)
These links were collected during research but are not cited in this article or counted above. Listing a link does not establish that it was read, relevant or used to support this report.
- AAAA pushes connected vehicle privacy rules after Four ... ↗
- Industry News - Autotalk Australia ↗
- Call to strip Telstra of Triple Zero calls ↗
- Submission to 'Improving and Expanding Australia's First Right to ... ↗
- Zurich prices Tesla FSD as lower risk, saving about 5% on ... ↗
- Security flaws in top-selling BYD EV - ABC listen ↗
- Secure and connected vehicles - NRMA ↗
- AEVA calls for tougher connected vehicle data laws ↗
- Modernising Australia's privacy laws for the digital age ↗
- BYD recalls 32000 Shark 6 utes over spare-wheel fault ↗
- Data driven: navigating legal and regulatory backroads for ... - Allens ↗
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