The US will investigate cars made in China for security reasons

The White House announced an investigation into embedded cars and other unnamed “parties of concern.” The Biden administration notes that cars are “constantly connected” to drivers’ phones, other vehicles, American infrastructure and their manufacturers, and that newer models use technologies like driver assistance systems.

“Connected vehicles collect large amounts of sensitive data about their drivers and passengers; routinely use their cameras and sensors to record detailed information about US infrastructure; interact directly with critical infrastructure; and can be operated or disabled remotely,” The White House . Officials are concerned that “new vulnerabilities and threats” could arise from connected vehicles if foreign governments have access to data from them. They are particularly wary that the parties of concern in question may use such information in ways that put national security at risk.

The Commerce Department will lead the investigation. “We need to understand the extent of the technology in these cars that can capture broad swaths of data or remotely disable or manipulate connected vehicles, so we are gathering information to determine whether to take action under our ICTS [information and communications technology and services] authorities”, Minister of Trade .

Through its advance notice of proposed rulemaking [], the agency is seeking public feedback to help determine “the technologies and market participants that may be most appropriate for regulation.” The investigation will help the Commerce Department decide whether to take action. It is the first time the agency’s Bureau of Industry and Security has conducted an investigation under Trump-era executive orders “focused on protecting domestic information and communications technology and service supply chains from threats to national security,” the White House said.

“China is determined to dominate the future of the car market, including through the use of unfair practices. China’s policies could flood our market with its vehicles, creating risks to our national security. I won’t let that happen on my time.” . “Connected vehicles from China can collect sensitive data about our citizens and our infrastructure and send that data back to the People’s Republic of China. These vehicles can be remotely accessed or disabled.”

Like points out that cars made in China are not yet common on US roads, but are becoming a more familiar sight in other markets, such as Europe. Although many of the vehicles of concern are electric cars, the cars’ cameras, sensors and software are the focus of the investigation.

This is not the first time the US has investigated Chinese companies over concerns that they pose a risk to the security of the country’s infrastructure. A few years ago, it banned the import and sale of telecommunications network equipment made by Huawei and ZTE (following the suspension of government officials). The government is also requiring telcos to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment in existing infrastructure.