Reuters reports that the US intends to ban Chinese software in self-driving cars

(Bloomberg) — The United States may propose a ban on Chinese software in autonomous vehicles in the coming weeks due to security concerns, Reuters reported.

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The Biden administration plans to propose a rule that would ban Chinese software in vehicles in America with Level 3 automation or higher, Reuters reported, citing unidentified sources. It would also effectively ban the testing of autonomous vehicles made by Chinese companies on U.S. roads, the report said.

The United States has already tried to curb the rollout of Chinese electric vehicles with tariffs exceeding 100%, and President Joe Biden’s Clean Energy Act makes it harder for automakers to use batteries made in Asia’s largest economy. Those concerns are now spilling over to Chinese software for autonomous vehicles amid tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The government is concerned that intelligent vehicles using Chinese software could collect sensitive data about U.S. citizens and their infrastructure and then send it to China.

The Biden administration also plans to ban cars with advanced wireless communication systems developed by China, Reuters reported. Under the proposal, automakers and suppliers would have to verify that none of their software for connected vehicles or advanced autonomous vehicles was developed in a “foreign entity of concern” such as China, according to the report.

A Commerce Department spokesman said the department is “concerned about the national security risks associated with connected technologies in connected vehicles,” according to Reuters. The Chinese embassy in Washington had no immediate comment.