National Security Concerns Over Chinese- and Russian-made Car Software “Far-Fetched”

As reported by the Techstrong ITSM, the Biden Administration proposed a ban on Chinese and Russian software in internet-connected cars in the US on Monday, citing national security concerns. This measure would effectively phase out Chinese-made vehicles from American roads. Over the coming years, the ban would require the US and other major automakers to eliminate critical Chinese software and hardware from vehicles in the US, extending to vehicle technologies produced by Russia and other foreign competitors.

“Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet. It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of U.S. citizens,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

Phosphorus’s John Vecchi calls this proposed ban far-fetched.

“The reality is that nearly every modern vehicle already operating here in the US is already vulnerable to attack via network-connected IoT Cyber-Physical Systems that provide Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi and other services to drivers.”

Learn more about the ban and the critical lack of IoT security for connected automobiles in the full article at Techstrong ITSM.