US proposes ban on connected vehicles using Chinese and Russian tech

On Sept. 23, the US Department of Commerce proposed a ban on the sale and import of connected vehicles and autonomous vehicles that use software or hardware from China or Russia, citing national security risks.

The proposed regulation would prohibit the import and sale of vehicles equipped with software and hardware made in China or Russia, which enable external communication through Bluetooth, satellite, or Wi-Fi. The ban would also extend to software components from these countries that allow highly autonomous vehicles to operate without a driver.

Under the proposal, the new rules would not apply to vehicles already on US roads that are equipped with Chinese software, nor would they cover vehicles that are not used on public roads, such as agricultural or mining vehicles.

The software bans would apply in the 2027 model year, while the hardware bans would take effect in January 2029 or 2030.

Earlier this year, in February, the US launched an investigation into the potential national security risks posed by Chinese automotive technologies. US officials have expressed concerns that software and hardware embedded in American vehicles by China and Russia could pose a variety of national security threats, including the possibility of remote hacking to disrupt vehicles or collect personal data from drivers.

In response, the Chinese government has denied US allegations that its hackers have infiltrated American infrastructure. China opposes the US's broadening of the concept of national security and its discriminatory actions against Chinese companies and products. We urge the US to respect market principles and provide an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, said Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

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