Could a Chinese-made Metro subway cars spy on us? Many experts say yes.

Bugged subway car?
A Bill O’Leary/Washington Post image

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

 

Could a Chinese-made Metro subway cars spy on us?  Many experts say (potentially, ed.) yes.

 

Congress, the Pentagon and others are worried about Beijing’s takeover of the United States transit rail car market.

 

Making Hollywood gazillions
A 20th Century Fox image

In particular, wingnut conspiracy theorists have been foisting all manner of existential spying and cyber sabotage scenarios often all but lifted straight out of a Hollywood action movie starring Bruce Willis.

 

So what, however, for the fact that all Chinese rail cars already sold and likely yet to be sold in the United States are subject to final assembly in United States and strictly relying on US-developed and occasionally Canadian system control software, security technology and propulsion systems.

 

There are, however, viable trade and competitiveness concerns. 

 

The United States does not have a public transportation rolling stock manufacturing industry to speak of and is thus subject to relying on Canadian, European and Asian manufacturers.

 

Riding the rails
An MBTA file photo

In turn, Chinese manufacturers clearly appear to be seeking to take over this market sector via greatly undercutting its competitors’ bids. 

 

It is also feared that Chinese transportation companies are planning to do the same thing in other rail transportation product sectors. 

 

As such, surely it is but a coincidence that concerns about public transit cyber safety are being trumped up while the United States and China are in the midst of a festering trade war.

Source: Could a Chinese-made Metro car spy on us?

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