Israeli Firms Turn Cars Into Intelligence Tools

Modern vehicles have evolved into internet-connected digital ecosystems and according to a new Haaretz investigation, that transformation is reshaping the global intelligence market.

The Rise of “CARINT” and the Weaponization of Vehicle Data

In intelligence circles, information harvested from vehicles is known as CARINT — short for car intelligence. Today’s cars operate as “computers on wheels,” equipped with built-in SIM cards, GPS systems, Bluetooth connectivity and multimedia platforms that continuously transmit data.

According to the report, at least three Israeli companies are operating in this sector, developing tools that allow government clients to track vehicle movements in real time, cross-reference vast databases and identify specific targets among thousands of cars on the road.

Industry sources cited in the investigation describe how AI-powered “data fusion” systems combine vehicle telemetry, roadside camera feeds, advertising data and cellular metadata to build comprehensive intelligence profiles. Rather than hacking a device directly, agencies can increasingly assemble a surveillance mosaic from legally or commercially available data streams.

Toka’s Offensive Capabilities and Defense Ministry Oversight

One of the companies identified is Toka, co-founded by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former Israeli military cyber chief Yaron Rosen.

Documents and industry sources cited by Haaretz indicate that Toka developed a product capable of infiltrating a vehicle’s multimedia system, pinpointing its location and remotely activating microphones or dashboard cameras. The system was reportedly approved by Israel’s Defense Ministry for presentation and eventual export.

The company stated that as part of its 2026 product roadmap, it no longer sells the hacking tool.

Experts note that exploiting vehicle vulnerabilities is technically complex, as each manufacturer uses distinct digital architectures. However, the possibility of remote access to in-car microphones and cameras raises acute privacy and security concerns.

Rayzone, Data Fusion and the Shift Away From Phone Spyware

Another Israeli firm, Rayzone, has reportedly begun selling vehicle-tracking tools through its subsidiary TA9. Unlike offensive hacking products, Rayzone’s system focuses on aggregating and cross-referencing data — including SIM-card tracking, Bluetooth signals and license-plate recognition feeds.

The investigation suggests that the intelligence industry is gradually shifting away from high-profile phone-hacking technologies associated with firms such as NSO Group, and toward large-scale AI-enabled data analytics platforms.

In the United States, companies like Palantir Technologies analyze license plate databases and vehicle registries, integrating them into broader intelligence systems. Israeli firm Cellebrite also works extensively with US law enforcement agencies in extracting and processing digital evidence, including vehicle-related data.

From Gaza to China: National Security Implications

The report highlights that after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, Israeli authorities — with private-sector support — developed capabilities to locate vehicles stolen from army bases and border communities. These tools were later integrated into military systems.

The article also points to China’s longstanding requirement that domestic car manufacturers transmit vehicle data to authorities, as well as restrictions imposed by the Israel Defense Forces on certain Chinese electric vehicles entering military facilities.

Security analysts warn that the growing digitization of vehicles expands not only surveillance potential but also vulnerability. Ethical hackers have already demonstrated the ability to remotely control steering or disable engines in controlled settings. According to industry sources cited in the investigation, some government clients are increasingly interested in remote vehicle-disabling capabilities.

A Surveillance Marketplace Powered by AI

At global intelligence expos such as ISS World — sometimes dubbed the “Wiretapper’s Ball” — artificial intelligence and real-time data fusion dominate discussions. AI now enables the processing of millions of disparate data points, including vehicle telemetry, audio streams and video feeds, converting them into actionable intelligence at unprecedented speed.

Industry insiders argue that as cars become more connected, they will inevitably become more central to intelligence gathering. Privacy advocates, however, warn that the same connectivity that enhances convenience also creates a powerful and potentially intrusive surveillance infrastructure.

The Haaretz investigation concludes that while hacking individual vehicles remains technically difficult, AI-driven aggregation of vehicle-generated data may render direct intrusion unnecessary — raising profound questions about privacy, regulation and the future of digital mobility.