17.02.2026 18:56
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that Israeli companies have developed intelligence-gathering technology using vehicles called "CARINT" and that espionage activities are being conducted through this method.
According to a study by Haaretz newspaper, among the founders of Toka, a company that is one of the most notable actors in vehicle intelligence, are former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and retired Brigadier General Yaron Rosen, a cybersecurity commander.
THEY CAN INFILTRATE VEHICLES AND EAVESDROP
The company is reported to have developed technologies that can infiltrate the multimedia systems of vehicles to eavesdrop, indicating that cyber intelligence is conducted by high-ranking officials of states.
In the field of intelligence, the information obtained from vehicles is known as CARINT (vehicle intelligence), and the report emphasizes that Israeli companies are "leading the surveillance race" in this area.
CARS ARE COLLECTING INTELLIGENCE
In recent years, the requirement for cars to be equipped with digital systems that have internet and cellular connectivity, while providing convenience for driving, also brings serious risks in terms of privacy and national security.
The report states that the Israeli company Toka specializes in accessing cameras used in cars, and it is mentioned that the company can match camera data with vehicle-connected data through its product. Toka, which has developed its products over time, has been reported to have developed technology that can infiltrate the multimedia systems of vehicles and track their movements and locations.
This technology allows remote access to the microphone of the vehicle's hands-free system to listen to the driver and even access cameras placed on the dashboard or around the vehicle. While it is noted that the Israeli Ministry of Defense has approved Toka's products and allowed their sale, the company has claimed that "it no longer sells this product" in relation to the news.
"NOT ONLY COLLECTING DATA BUT ALSO INTEGRATING IT"
The report also mentions that the Israeli intelligence company Rayzone has started selling a "surveillance tool" to monitor vehicles, and that the product is sold along with a series of products that collect data from various sources and perform cross-verification.
Rayzone's subsidiary TA9 provides "complete intelligence" by blending data collected from vehicles with artificial intelligence. Thanks to this technology, targets can be tracked in real-time through SIM cards, wireless networks, and Bluetooth connections in vehicles.
While it is stated that the company can collect intelligence from many data areas and that vehicles are "only one" of these data points, it is emphasized that the data from license plates and road camera recordings are "not only collected but also integrated" by cyber intelligence companies.
THE US CAN ALSO COLLECT VEHICLE INTELLIGENCE AND TRANSFER IT TO ISRAEL
The digitization of all critical components of modern vehicles, from braking systems to airbags, opens the door for these data to be used for intelligence gathering and analysis.
It is reported that federal agencies in the US, such as the FBI and NSA, regularly request data from vehicle manufacturers, similar to the user data they request from technology giants.
In this case, the identity of a vehicle driver, as well as their email address and social media account, can also be determined through their driving habits and location via the vehicle.
The report notes that the US data analysis and software company Palantir can analyze license plate numbers and vehicle registrations and combine them with other data, while the US company Berla can transfer this data to Israeli companies Rayzone and Cellebrite.
It is stated that Israel developed this technology to detect the locations of vehicles taken to Gaza during the Aksa Flood Operation on October 7, 2023, "with the support of companies and volunteers," and that this technology has been integrated into the Israeli army.
MANY ISRAELI COMPANIES ARE COLLECTING VEHICLE INTELLIGENCE
In addition to Toka and Rayzone, it is noted that Israel's Aerospace Industries company Elta has also developed a vehicle intelligence product, but the company refrained from commenting on the matter.
Another Israeli company, Ateros, has developed a system called "GeoDome" that can integrate with state data, including systems that recognize license plate numbers.
Ateros also collects data from tires using sensors developed by the Israeli intelligence technology company Netline, creating a "digital fingerprint" for each vehicle by utilizing the signals emitted by pressure sensors in vehicle tires. Thus, a vehicle can be tracked using only sensor data without the need for digital intrusion.
TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLES
Due to concerns about data leakage from vehicles, it is reported that the Israeli army has banned its high-ranking commanders from using Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Israel made this decision due to the obligation of Chinese vehicle companies to share the data they collect with the state, and parking civilian vehicles near military bases is considered a serious security risk.
The report emphasizes that the requests of states from intelligence companies are not limited to location determination and tracking. Security experts and hackers have demonstrated that "complete control can be seized through the digital systems of cars, the steering can be directed remotely, or the engine can be stopped."