A cybersecurity expert recently demonstrated the ease of hacking a BYD Shark 6 hybrid vehicle, gaining control of its locks, headlights, and audio-visual systems, highlighting broader vulnerabilities in modern connected cars regardless of their country of manufacture. Today's vehicles function as networks of dozens of onboard computers linked via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and built-in SIM cards to mobile networks, cloud services, and manufacturer infrastructure — creating multiple entry points for hackers who could compromise physical safety systems, enable vehicle theft, or facilitate coercive surveillance through tracking features. Australia currently has no mandatory vehicle cybersecurity standards, leaving consumers largely unprotected compared to markets such as the European Union and China, which already require manufacturers to demonstrate active cybersecurity management throughout a vehicle's lifespan.