Australian Safety Authorities Warn of Smart Cars Being Misused by Domestic Violence Perpetrators

According to a recent alert from Australia’s national eSafety Commission, domestic violence perpetrators are increasingly misusing internet-connected “smart cars” to stalk, intimidate, and control their partners.

These vehicles come with features such as GPS tracking, remote engine start/stop, door locking, and geofencing. Abusers exploit these capabilities to monitor victims’ daily movements, restrict their mobility, and in some cases, prevent them from escaping. In several reported instances, victims have been confined to a very small area, turning the car into a tool that restricts their freedom.

Since the launch of technology-facilitated abuse support services, authorities have received hundreds of reports involving smart-car misuse, as well as tens of thousands of inquiries. The eSafety Commission advises victims to reset account credentials, remove shared digital keys, enable two-factor authentication, and seek assistance if they suspect their smart devices or vehicles are being abused. Frontline domestic violence support organisations have warned that such incidents are on the rise and have called on car manufacturers and tech companies to strengthen safety protections in their designs.