SINGAPORE – China’s government restricts use of Tesla Inc. ‘s vehicles by military state-owned enterprises in sensitive industries and key agencies, citing concerns that U.S. electric vehicle manufacturers’ cars could be a source of national safety leaks, according to people familiar with the trouble.
The move follows a security check by the government of Tesla’s vehicles, which, according to Chinese officials, found that the cars’ sensors could record visual images of surrounding places, the people said. The Chinese government also said that Tesla – through the vehicles – could obtain various data, such as when, how and where the cars are used, as well as personal information about the drivers and the contact list of cell phones that are synchronized with the cars. said the people. The government is worried that some data could be sent back to the US, the people said.
The government has notified some of its agencies to ask their employees to stop driving Tesla cars to work, they said. Some people have said that Tesla cars are also banned from driving into homes for families of staff working in sensitive industries and government agencies. They said through their agencies that the government’s concern is that Tesla vehicles could be in a recording mode constantly, using cameras and other sensors to record various details, including short videos.
The Chinese Information Office of the State Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tesla declined to comment on the government’s move. The Wall Street Journal referred to a comment he had previously made to Chinese media in response to previous concerns about data security. “Tesla’s privacy protection policy complies with Chinese laws and regulations. “Tesla attaches great importance to protecting users’ privacy,” it said. It is also said that cameras for all Tesla vehicles in China have not been turned on.