Adrian Johnson
TLDR
The Biden Administration is investigating the national security risks posed by Chinese smart cars, which could potentially gather personal data, be remotely disabled, or used for espionage. Industry experts believe that Chinese auto manufacturers could penetrate the US market by establishing local plants, eliminating tariffs and becoming eligible for tax credits. The administration is concerned about the potential for widespread accidents if Chinese smart cars are all disabled, as well as the possibility of data vacuuming and espionage. This issue mirrors concerns with TikTok and other smart vehicles given the unregulated data handling practices in the industry.
Article Summary
The Biden administration is closely examining the national security risks associated with Chinese smart cars, which are considered potential data vacuums that could collect personal information from drivers. Concerns include the possibility of remote disabling of all cars at once, espionage through cameras and microphones, and the Chinese government gaining access to sensitive personal data of Americans. This issue is reminiscent of concerns related to TikTok and other smart vehicles, given the lack of regulations governing data handling practices in the industry.
Chinese smart cars currently have a small presence in the US market, with plans to expand sales thwarted by import tariffs and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Chinese auto manufacturers are still hopeful about entering the American market by establishing local plants to bypass tariffs and become eligible for tax credits. The Biden administration is specifically concerned about the potential for these vehicles to gather personal, biometric, and location data that could pose significant national security risks if sent back to the Chinese government.
Similar to the situation in the EU, where Chinese smart cars have been gaining market share, the US government is wary of the implications of foreign manufacturers in the smart vehicle industry. Data handling practices in smart vehicles in general have been called into question, with concerns about privacy violations and national security risks. The Biden administration’s investigation into Chinese smart cars is part of a larger effort to address data collection and privacy issues in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
