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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[https://community.cartalk.com/t/tesla-disables-car-for-man-who-doesnt-pay-for-repair/186521](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tesla-disables-car-for-man-who-doesnt-pay-for-repair/186521)
If the EVs are controlled by computers, and China can change the code for those computers via wireless connection, then it can be a massive security risk. China could potentially do things like disable all the cars, disable safety features on the cars, access the microphones used to make calls, access cameras in or on the cars, know who owns each car and where each car is (and has ever been), know the phone number and full contact list and each call made using a cell phone via the car’s bluetooth connection, etc.
So, not only could China potentially physically harm people, the data they collect could be used for nefarious purposes. When you know all about a Congressman’s secret affair, or that a well-respected conservative preacher has a teenage boyfriend (unbeknownst to his congregation–or his wife and three kids), or a scientist working on cutting-edge drone tech sometimes looks at naked young girls on the dark web, that information can be used to coerce or blackmail people. And *that* is perhaps the biggest security concern about allowing a foreign government to spy on American citizens through their own vehicles.
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.
you arent supposed to think about it, you are just supposed to be mindlessly angry at China so when the us bombs them eventually everyone pretends they are the antagonist
Let me present a scenario (more for my own entertainment than to answer your question): The year is 2040. Millions of Americans are driving around in their NIOs, tensions have been escalating for decades.
Then, the Cold War turns hot. War is declared. China is quick to strike a blow intended to break the American spirit. 90 year old Xi, still maintaining an iron grip on power, presses a little red button on his desk. Over in the States the 50 million NIO owners notice their cars have started beeping. They barely have time for confusion to dawn before their world bursts into flames.
They’re a threat to US automakers’ businesses, not a national security threat.
Sometimes politicians lie like this in order to con enough of the public to support the measure.
Many arguments against Chinese EV cars seem somewhat irrelevant. After all, we purchase around 90% of our consumer products from China, and the majority of car electronic parts are manufactured there. Couldn’t we establish an agreement with BYD regarding data privacy? I’m confident there’s a way, considering Tesla operates in China, and DJI drones are widely popular in the US, suggesting there are likely other products with potentially higher risks. It appears to be primarily the US auto industry safeguarding its business through fearmongering.
All companies collect data of their users and many share those data with the government when asked. All Chinese companies are under Chinese government and all data collected are shared.
China however is not involved with Five Eyes so those data will not be shared with US intelligence agency, so they are a security risk until they agree to share those collected data with US.
Do we even have Chinese EVs in the States?
Tech issues can be sorted. This pearl-clutching is a smokescreen for economic protectionism. BYD will build inexpensive long-range feature-packed EV’s in Mexico, sell them here, and eat Elon’s (and Detroit’s) lunch.
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