Commerce proposes ban on Chinese tech in connected vehicles over national security concerns

The Biden administration on Monday proposed banning certain Chinese-made software and hardware in vehicles connected to the internet, citing national security risks. 

The newly proposed rule from the Commerce Department would ban the import of cars with vehicle connectivity systems and automated driving systems developed in China, as well as Russia.

“As the Department of Commerce has found, vehicles’ increasing connectivity creates opportunities to collect and exploit sensitive information,” the White House said in a press release.

“Certain hardware and software in connected vehicles enable the capture of information about geographic areas or critical infrastructure, and present opportunities for malicious actors to disrupt the operations of infrastructure or the vehicles themselves,” it added. 

Automated driving systems can collect information about U.S. infrastructure using the cameras and sensors that enable cars to drive on their own, according to the press release. 

These technologies can also record sensitive data about American drivers and passengers, it noted. 

The software ban would take effect for model year 2027, which would include some cars released in 2026. The hardware ban would take effect three years later, starting with model year 2030. 

The proposed rule comes amid a larger effort by the Biden administration to crack down on certain Chinese products and technologies entering the U.S.  

The administration announced plans to quadruple tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and double tariffs on Chinese semiconductors earlier this year, alongside additional tariff hikes on steel, aluminum, batteries and solar cells.

It has also sought to limit China’s ability to take advantage of new technology coming from the U.S., tightening export controls on advanced chips. 

Updated at 9:15 a.m. EDT