I understand it’s an issue with the software and that it could collect data such as tracking users via GPS, but how would that information get transmitted back to the Chinese and how would they use that data? I do understand the privacy concern, but how is that a security threat for the country?
I saw an interview with the Commerce Secretary today and she said that they (the Chinese) would also have the ability to shut off EVs at will. How would that work?
A lot of people are saying the conversation is just a ruse because the American Auto Industry fears low-cost Chinese EVs. We already have section 301 tariffs in place for Chinese goods so I don’t know that I buy that argument 100%.
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I think it is mostly political fear-mongering.
But there are already consumer electronics products like security cams and TVs that have been found to transmit information about the user back to China etc. It’s easy to do, it just requires an Internet connection. New cars often have cell data connections, or they can piggyback on your smartphone’s connection via the app that so many products require you to use.
As to how this could really be a security threat, you could imagine things like a Chinese spy figuring out the movements of a high level American official who uses one of these cars, but the general data in aggregate for the mass of consumers probably has way more value for marketing research rather than national security.
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