The White House has announced an investigation into embedded vehicles and other unnamed “countries of concern”. The Biden administration notes that cars are “constantly connected” to drivers’ phones, other vehicles, American infrastructure and their manufacturers, and newer models use technologies such as driver assistance systems.
“Connected vehicles collect vast amounts of sensitive data about their drivers and passengers; routinely use their cameras and sensors to record detailed information about US infrastructure; communicate directly with critical infrastructure; and can be remotely controlled or disabled,” the White House said. . Officials worry that connected cars could introduce “new vulnerabilities and threats” if foreign governments can access them. They are particularly concerned that the countries of concern mentioned above may use such information in a way that could put national security at risk.
The Department of Commerce will lead the investigation. “We need to understand the extent to which the technology in these vehicles can collect extensive data or remotely disable or manipulate connected vehicles, so we require information to determine whether to take action in accordance with our ICT. [information and communications technology and services] Authorities,” Secretary of Commerce .
Through a prior notice of proposed rulemaking [], the agency is seeking public input to help identify “the technologies and market participants that may be most appropriate for regulation.” The investigation will help the Commerce Department decide whether to take action. The agency’s Bureau of Industry and Security is investigating for the first time under Trump-era Executive Orders “aimed at protecting domestic information and communications technology and services supply chains from national security threats,” the White House said.
“China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including through unfair practices. China’s policies could flood our market with its own cars, creating risks for our national security. I will not allow that to happen.” . “Connected vehicles from China can collect sensitive data about our citizens and infrastructure and send that data back to the People’s Republic of China. These vehicles can be remotely accessed or disabled.”
whom It points out that Chinese-made cars are not yet common on US roads, but are becoming an increasingly familiar sight in other markets such as Europe. While many of the vehicles of concern are EVs, its vehicles’ cameras, sensors and software are the focus of scrutiny.
This is not the first time the US has investigated Chinese companies for posing security risks to the country’s infrastructure. A few years ago, it banned the import and sale of telecommunications network equipment manufactured by Huawei and ZTE (after suspending state employees). ). The government also required telecom companies to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment from existing infrastructure .
