WikiLeaks CIA files: Spy agency looked at ways to hack and control cars to carry out assassinations

The agency allegedly also used tools to hack smartphones and turn smart TVs into covert microphones

WikiLeaks describes Vault 7 as 'the largest intelligence publication in history' (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

WikiLeaks has alleged that the CIA looked into vehicle interference methods that could potentially enable it to assassinate people without detection.

According to the whistle-blowing organisation, the CIA explored the tactic in October 2014.

It hasn’t included any more details about the alleged practice.

WikiLeaks included the claim in its release announcing ‘Vault 7’, a huge batch of documents, which Julian Assange claims to account for the CIA’s “entire hacking capacity”.

“As of October 2014 the CIA was also looking at infecting the vehicle control systems used by modern cars and trucks,” reads a passage in the release.

“The purpose of such control is not specified, but it would permit the CIA to engage in nearly undetectable assassinations.”

The CIA has also been accused of using malware and hacking tools to turn TVs into covert microphones and remotely break into smartphones.

The latter, according to WikiLeaks, allowed it to bypass encryption on a number of popular messaging apps, including WhatsApp.

WikiLeaks describes Vault 7 as “the largest intelligence publication in history” and says that the initial batch of 8,761 files is just the first in a series of releases.