Concerns about Chinese and Russian software and hardware in US cars

The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed a ban on the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware, citing national security concerns.

The new regulations will apply from model year 2027 for software and from 2030 for hardware.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stressed that this is a preventive measure to protect American drivers.

While the use of Chinese and Russian software in American cars is currently minimal, reliance on foreign hardware is more widespread.

As cars increasingly use digital systems such as microphones, cameras, GPS and Bluetooth, concerns are growing that personal data could be exposed to foreign attackers.

In extreme cases, Raimondo warns, malicious actors could remotely control vehicles, potentially causing accidents or disruptions.

“This is not a matter of trade or economic gain,” Raimondo said. “This is strictly a matter of national security. The good news is that there are not many Chinese or Russian cars on our roads right now.”

She warned that Europe’s rapid adoption of Chinese electric cars was a “cautionary tale”.

Concerns about the fact that modern vehicles rely on data have already emerged on the other side of the Atlantic.

Janka Oertel, Director of the Asia Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, drew attention to the potential threats related to the flow of data controlled by foreign entities.

“Who controls these data flows and software updates is far from a trivial question, and the answers violate national security, cybersecurity and individual privacy issues,” Oertel wrote on the council’s website.

The proposed U.S. rules would aim to prevent the import and sale of vehicles equipped with Chinese or Russian hardware and software that enable external communications, such as via Bluetooth, satellite or Wi-Fi.

It would also prohibit the use of software from these countries in highly autonomous vehicles, even if they are manufactured in the U.S.

This would apply to any car capable of driving without a human driver.

Non-road vehicles, such as agricultural and mining equipment, will be excluded from the scope of the regulation.

The decision to include Russia in the ban follows the country’s efforts to revive its automotive industry.

Although the United States currently imports few automotive products from Russia, authorities intend to act proactively to prevent future dependencies.

While U.S. automakers generally expressed support for the Commerce Department’s national security concerns, some expressed concerns about logistical issues.

John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, warned that while some automakers will be able to adapt over time, others may struggle to replace Chinese or Russian suppliers.

“You can’t just flip a switch and change the most complex supply chain in the world overnight,” Bozzella said.

The Commerce Department is inviting public comment on the proposed rule 30 days before it is finalized, a process that is expected to conclude by the end of Biden’s term.

Earlier this month, President Biden called for tougher regulations on cheap imports from China.

The increased efforts to reduce US dependence on Beijing and boost domestic manufacturing come amid the growing popularity of platforms like Temu and Shein.

The number of small-package deliveries has increased from 140 million a year to more than 1 billion last year, according to a White House statement.

The article uses information from the Associated Press