It was claimed that the rental vehicles used in the military exercise in Norway recorded sensitive information, and the recording of soldiers' routes and passwords raised security concerns in the country.
It was alleged that Norwegian soldiers continued to use these vehicles during a military exercise, even though they realized that the vehicles they rented were recording their movements and the security codes entered at the entrance gates of military facilities.
According to the Dagens Næringsliv newspaper, the records in question were revealed during the Hovedstad Exercise, which was held in September and included preparations for the protection of Oslo Airport in case of war.
Due to the lack of alternative vehicles, rental vehicles continued to be used inside military facilities. In the news in the Norwegian media, it was reported that the vehicles were rented through the company used by the Norwegian Armed Forces, and at least 2 of them were Chinese branded.
SECURITY CODES WERE SAVED AT THE ENTRANCE DOORS
Lieutenant Fredrik Blanck, who participated in the exercise, said that the personnel noticed the video recordings while examining the settings of a vehicle.
Soldiers neither requested the use of the recording feature nor were they informed of its existence.
The images showed people getting on and off the vehicles, the points where the vehicles picked up and dropped off passengers, the routes followed and how long the soldiers stayed at different points. The recordings also included moments when personnel entered security codes at the entrance gates of military facilities.
"In some cases, we use access cards with codes to pass through the doors. These transactions were recorded on video," said Blanck.
Two sources with knowledge of the incident confirmed what Blanck said in their statements to DN. One of the sources said that the vehicles recorded numerous images, including moments when soldiers entered security codes at the entrance gates.
Blanck said his unit was not given any instructions on how to use the recording features on their vehicles.
IT IS UNKNOWN WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE DATA
After the exercise, the personnel deleted the records on the vehicles they had access to.
However, they could not determine whether other vehicles also had images or what would happen to the data after the exercise ended.
"We don't know where these records go. We don't know if they're just stored inside the vehicles, or what happens to the data once the exercise is over," Blanck said.
Blanck warned that if the images were brought together, the locations of military units, patrol patterns, access routes, equipment and supply depots could be revealed. This information, he noted, could provide an outside actor with a detailed picture of military operations.
Blanck also expressed concerns about the possibility of vehicles' microphones recording during sensitive conversations.
According to the news, those responsible for the union conveyed the findings to higher authorities through a report.
ARMY DEFENDS SECURITY MEASURES
The Norwegian Armed Forces declined to respond specifically to the newspaper's questions about the registrations or the decision to continue using the vehicles.
Army spokeswoman Caroline E. Lysne said the military agency is aware of the risks associated with vehicles and other electronic equipment.
Lysne stated that they do not find it appropriate at this stage to ban the use of all vehicles produced in certain countries.
"Such a ban would provide limited security gains compared to the practical disadvantages it would create for the armed forces, employees and suppliers," he said.
Lysne stated that the troops maintain physical and electronic security measures to prevent the collection of sensitive information.
