Today, the Biden Administration announced new measures to protect U.S. national security from potential threats related to connected vehicle technology originating from China and Russia.
If the Commerce Department’s proposed new rules are finalized, they will ban the import or sale of connected vehicles and related parts designed, developed or manufactured by companies with ties to China or Russia.
This covers “Vehicle Connectivity Systems” (VCS) such as Bluetooth, satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi modules, as well as “Autonomous Driving Systems” (ADS) that enable vehicles to drive autonomously.
The Commerce Department found that these technologies carry significant risks, including the potential for them to be used for surveillance, sabotage, and disruption of critical infrastructure.
Following a public feedback process that began in March, the new rules will ban imports of VCS and ADS software for model years 2027 and hardware for model years 2030. Exceptions may be made for smaller producers to limit industry disruption.
In a statement released on Monday, the White House stressed that connected cars pose increased security risks because they can collect sensitive data about drivers, track their location, and potentially collect critical infrastructure information.
The Biden administration said countries such as China and Russia could use these capabilities to threaten U.S. national security.
“These technologies include the computer systems that control vehicle movements and collect sensitive data about drivers and passengers, as well as cameras and sensors that enable self-driving systems and record detailed information about Nation’s infrastructure,” the White House said.
“Certain hardware and software in connected vehicles allows for the acquisition of information about geographic regions and critical infrastructure, providing an opportunity for malicious actors to disrupt the operation of that infrastructure or the vehicle itself.”
The new proposed rules build on an initiative introduced by President Biden in February to address national security risks associated with foreign technology in Chinese-made connected cars that “can be remotely controlled or disabled.”
Today’s action follows previous efforts to protect the U.S. auto industry. In May, President Biden increased tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles from 25% to 100%, and the Stop Inflation Act provided a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit for U.S. or North American manufacturers.
“Today’s vehicles are equipped with cameras, microphones, GPS tracking devices and other internet-connected technology. It is not difficult to imagine how foreign adversaries with access to this information could pose serious risks to both our national security and the privacy of Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
“To address these national security concerns, the Department of Commerce is taking targeted, aggressive steps to keep Chinese and Russian technology off American roads.”
