_Incident · Regulatory action_

# K3 Scout drone cameras secretly transmitted heartbeat data to Chinese IP address

Canonical ID: `811a53c3-1c8a-408f-9831-8db1d834501f`

- **Occurred:** 2026-03-01
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Kraken USV Platform](/models/kraken-usv.md) (id: `1648cbba-f9c4-4944-888e-86deb86dcda2`)
- **Company:** [Kraken Technology Group](/companies/kraken.md) (id: `76a0f3b2-bf71-421f-8e67-7189a51c8af9`)
- **Category:** [Maritime](/maritime)

Cameras fitted to K3 Scout USVs operated by the Royal Navy transmitted heartbeat communications to an IP address in China. The discovery was made at the Special Boat Service HQ in Poole, Dorset, after the 12m drone fleet entered service in March 2026. The UK MoD said a routine cyber vulnerability assessment identified the issue; Kraken conducted a full audit and confirmed no sensitive data was shared outside intended channels. The cameras were third-party, US NDAA-compliant components with some subcomponents originating from outside the UK.

## Sources (1)

1. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-navy-china-data-leak-37531546

## Common questions

### What happened in K3 Scout drone cameras secretly transmitted heartbeat data to Chinese IP address?

Cameras fitted to K3 Scout USVs operated by the Royal Navy transmitted heartbeat communications to an IP address in China. The discovery was made at the Special Boat Service HQ in Poole, Dorset, after the 12m drone fleet entered service in March 2026. The UK MoD said a routine cyber vulnerability assessment identified the issue; Kraken conducted a full audit and confirmed no sensitive data was shared outside intended channels. The cameras were third-party, US NDAA-compliant components with some subcomponents originating from outside the UK.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on March 1, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### What robot was involved in K3 Scout drone cameras secretly transmitted heartbeat data to Chinese IP address?

Kraken USV Platform by Kraken Technology Group is the recorded robot involved in this incident.

### Has anyone responded to K3 Scout drone cameras secretly transmitted heartbeat data to Chinese IP address?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of K3 Scout drone cameras secretly transmitted heartbeat data to Chinese IP address?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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