Self-driving cars are gaining popularity in the US, and while Elon Musk’s Tesla leads this new automotive sector, many new companies are beginning to emerge or are being established. However, a report from Fortune magazine highlights how these self-driving cars, especially those made in China, pose a significant danger to Americans.
Fortune magazine reported that self-driving cars owned by Chinese companies have driven 1.8 million miles in California alone, collecting all kinds of data that they send back to their home country, which the report said could be used by China for espionage and war planning.
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Self-driving car (WeRide) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
China’s self-driving cars and their data collection
A total of 35 businesses have been approved by the state to receive testing. Self-driving carsSeven of the companies are reportedly wholly or partially based in China. Five of those companies — WeRide, Baidu’s Apollo, AutoX, Pony.ai, and DiDi Research America — drove a combined 1.8 million miles on California roads last year, and some Chinese companies have also been approved for testing in Arizona and Texas.
The cars capture footage of their surroundings and map the state’s roads with an accuracy of 2 centimeters. The collected data is then transferred from the cars to data centers, which may be based in China. The publication cites experts who claim that this situation gives the Chinese government access to the data.
Baidu’s privacy policy states that any data may be processed and stored in China, and Pony.ai reportedly sent U.S. data to China until 2021.
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How is this data collection dangerous?
Fortune did not present any evidence that the Chinese government is misusing the data collected by self-driving cars or that the companies are actually giving Beijing control over the data, but it noted that the U.S. government has not verified what data is being shared and there is no proper agency in place to address the issue.
The report notes that data from self-driving cars, which use LIDAR technology to create detailed 3D maps, could be used by foreign adversaries for mass surveillance and military planning. These maps are useful for navigating self-driving cars, but the level of detail makes them valuable for military and intelligence purposes as well.
Lidar, also used by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan, can map battlefields and monitor threats. At a societal level, the technology can track individuals’ movements, including visits to sensitive locations such as places of worship or domestic violence shelters.
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What is being done about this?
Self-driving cars from Chinese companies have prompted regulatory action. These vehicles offer advanced technology, but as mentioned above, they also carry potential risks related to data collection and national security. The U.S. government has taken steps to address these concerns, including Representative Elissa Slotkin. Present a bill A formal national security review will be conducted on Chinese-made connected cars.
The move mirrors China’s strict data security laws that require companies like Tesla to store data domestically and partner with Chinese companies. The U.S. is considering similar measures to regulate data collection and storage by Chinese automakers operating in the U.S. As technology evolves, balancing innovation with national security has become a key challenge for policymakers.
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Important points about the cart
The rise of Chinese-made self-driving cars in the United States highlights the complex balance between technological innovation and national security. While these vehicles represent great advances, the data they collect poses potential risks that cannot be ignored. The U.S. government’s move to scrutinize and regulate this data collection is a necessary step. As this technology evolves, so too must our approach to regulation to ensure that innovation serves the public interest while protecting national security.
What types of data collection do you think should be restricted or regulated for foreign technology companies operating in the United States? Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
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