Australia’s online safety regulator is warning smart car technology is being used by violent partners to monitor, track and intimidate women experiencing domestic and family violence.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said reports from frontline workers show abusers can exploit connected vehicle features such as trip histories, GPS tracking and companion apps to control victim-survivors.
“We’re hearing of cases where abusers access trip histories to keep tabs on a partner’s movements, remotely lock doors or change the heating to intimidate them, and use kill switches to prevent them travelling beyond certain distances,” she said.
She said cars, which can be vital for escape, were in some cases being used as a tool to trap and control.
The warning forms part of updated advice from eSafety on technology-facilitated coercive control, which can also involve other connected devices such as smartwatches, security cameras and smart TVs.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said technology-facilitated abuse was a rapidly evolving challenge, with shelters often checking phones, vehicles and devices for tracking software.
eSafety is calling for stronger industry safeguards, including emergency lockouts, visible audit logs and better device resets when vehicles change owners.
Support is available through 1800RESPECT.