A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, led by House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and China select committee Chair Mike Gallagher, raises concerns about Chinese companies collecting sensitive data during autonomous vehicle testing in the United States.
Seeking answers from 10 Chinese-related companies
The lawmakers, including Democrats Frank Pallone and Raja Krishnamoorti, have sent letters to 10 Chinese-related companies, including Baidu, Nio, WeRide, Didi Chuxing, Xpeng, Inceptio, Pony.ai, AutoX, Deeproute.ai, and Qcraft, seeking clarification on data collection practices. The companies are required to respond by November 29.
Lack of response raises concerns
As of now, none of the mentioned companies have responded to the inquiries or could be reached for immediate comments, prompting lawmakers to voice concerns over the lack of transparency in data practices.
Demands for greater transparency
The letters, not reported earlier, emphasize the need for greater transparency regarding the information collected during autonomous vehicle testing in the United States. Lawmakers seek answers on data storage locations, financial ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and whether sensitive information is shared with the Chinese government.
Critical questions on data collection and storage
Lawmakers are particularly interested in understanding the nature of data collected on American roads, its storage location, and whether the information is shared with the Chinese government or other entities. Additionally, they inquire about data collection on U.S. infrastructure during testing.
Concerns echo national security worries
Highlighting national security concerns, the letters reference Chinese autonomous vehicle companies conducting over 450,000 miles of testing in California in the 12 months leading to November 2022. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg previously expressed worries about Chinese AV companies operating in the United States, drawing parallels with concerns around other technology sectors.
Transportation technologies in the national security lens
Secretary Buttigieg underlines concerns similar to those in the telecom or TikTok sectors, indicating a broader apprehension around transportation technologies. The lawmakers’ inquiry signals an intensified scrutiny of Chinese autonomous vehicle companies operating on American soil.
The bipartisan alert underscores growing apprehensions among U.S. lawmakers regarding the data practices of Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, adding a layer of scrutiny to their operations in the United States.