The United States announced on the 23rd a regulation banning the sale in the United States of connected vehicles that use software or hardware from China or Russia.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced in a press release on the same day that it had decided to “prohibit the sale and import of connected vehicles equipped with certain hardware and software, or related parts with ties to China or Russia.”
The software ban will take effect from 2027, while the hardware ban will take effect from 2030.
The Commerce Department explained the context: “We have found that certain technologies from China and Russia pose disproportionate risks to U.S. critical infrastructure and connected vehicle drivers.”
He added, “This proposed rule is a precautionary measure to protect national security and the safety of American drivers.”
◾️ “We could control all vehicles in the US at once”
“Today’s cars are connected to the internet through cameras, microphones, GPS trackers and other technologies,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “It doesn’t take a great imagination to understand that accessing that information could pose a serious risk to foreign adversaries.”
“In an extreme case, a foreign adversary could simultaneously shut down or take control of all of their (software and hardware) vehicles operating in the United States,” Secretary Raimondo added.
◾️ Technology related to driving assistance, etc.
Connected vehicles are vehicles that exchange information via wireless networks and provide various convenient functions such as navigation, autonomous driving, and driver assistance systems. The proposed regulations announced this time focus on the hardware and software installed in the vehicle connection system (VCS) and the software included in the autonomous driving system (ADS).
VCS is a series of systems that allow vehicles to communicate with the outside world through Bluetooth, satellite, and Wi-Fi modules.
◾️ 30 days to collect opinions
In particular, this measure prohibits the sale in the United States of vehicles equipped with VCS or ADS hardware or software made by companies with ties to China or Russia, even if the vehicles were produced in the United States.
This proposed rule is an interim rule, and we plan to finalize the rule after collecting opinions from industry and other interested parties within the next 30 days.
◾️ China “discriminatory measures”
China immediately criticized the announcement, calling it “discrimination.”
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered a related question at a regular briefing on the 23rd, saying, “China opposes the United States’ generalization of the concept of national security and its discriminatory measures against Chinese companies and products.”
He continued, “We urge the United States to respect market principles and provide an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.”
He also emphasized that “China will firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests.”
VOA News
