US proposes ban on Chinese, Russian connected car tech over security fears

The US Commerce Department has decided not to wait for the inevitable, and today announced plans that would ban connected vehicle technology - and vehicles using it - from Chinese and Russian sources.

In an announcement today, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said that it was proposing a rule that would prohibit the import and sale of vehicle connectivity system (VCS) or automated driving system (ADS) hardware or software made by a manufacturer "with a nexus to [China] or Russia." The proposed rule would also ban the incorporation of VCS or ADS tech from China or Russia in vehicles manufactured within the US.

If passed as written, the rule would eliminate vehicles equipped with Chinese automotive tech from operating on US roads - even if it was just for testing purposes, per the proposal. The reason for the ban, if it isn't obvious at first glance, is due to the potential for such connected vehicle technology to enable China to spy on the US - an issue the Biden administration first pointed out in February when it ordered the Commerce Department to look into the matter. 

"China imposes restrictions on American autos and other foreign autos operating in China," President Biden said earlier this year. "Why should connected vehicles from China be allowed to operate in our country without safeguards?"

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