In recent years, China has increased its contribution to the automobile industry by introducing electric vehicles. The influx is also drawing concern from U.S. watchdogs, as the Biden-Harris administration today announced new investigations into Chinese autos.
On February 21, 2024, the United States took steps to limit the number of electric vehicles flooding the U.S. market. China's connected cars are currently under surveillance by U.S. government agencies.
China's cars are tied to users' smartphones, navigation tools, critical infrastructure, and their manufacturers. As such, President Joe Biden has suggested that these devices could send information back to China.
The Biden administration has therefore appointed the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate and regulate vehicles using technology from countries of concern, particularly those from China.
The press release also highlights that because these devices are linked to manufacturers, they can be remotely accessed or disabled, jeopardizing the physical safety of users. The press release also states:
“Connected cars could open up new vulnerabilities and threats if foreign governments access their systems and data. Connected cars collect large amounts of sensitive data about drivers and passengers. Regularly uses sensors to record detailed information about U.S. infrastructure. Interacts directly with critical infrastructure. Can be remotely manipulated or disabled. Technologies of countries of concern, including the People's Republic of China. Connected vehicles that rely on autonomous and data systems can be exploited in ways that threaten national security.”
President Joe Biden has argued that since China imposes regulations on American cars, the United States should also impose regulations on Chinese-made cars.
In response to the order, the Department of Commerce passed an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to monitor security and data safety risks posed by technology embedded in connected vehicles used in the United States.
The press release notes that this is the first time the executive order has asked the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to take steps to “protect the nation's information and communications technology and services supply chains from national security threats.” He emphasizes that it is his first time.
The Department will also provide solutions to curb these threats and help establish regulatory policies for technologies used in vehicles in countries of concern.