The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced a proposed rule to ban the sale or import of connected vehicles and components linked to China or Russia. This move is motivated by security concerns related to specific hardware and software integrations.

According to BIS, the proposed rule aims to prohibit the import and sale of vehicles that incorporate vehicle communication systems (VCS) or autonomous driving systems (ADS) hardware or software associated with China or Russia. VCS facilitates external communication through systems like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, while ADS enables vehicles to operate autonomously without a driver. The rule would also restrict U.S. manufacturers from selling vehicles with such components if they are connected to these countries.

The implementation of this rule is planned in phases, with software restrictions commencing for the model year 2027 and hardware restrictions for the model year 2030. Vehicles lacking a model year would face hardware prohibitions starting January 1, 2029. These measures aim to bolster U.S. critical infrastructure by addressing potential security risks posed by foreign technology in key systems.

"Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "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." Raimondo further said that "to address these national security concerns, the Commerce Department is taking targeted, proactive steps to keep PRC and Russian-manufactured technologies off American roads."

The Bureau of Industry and Security enforces export controls, ensures compliance with international treaties, and oversees policies aimed at maintaining U.S. leadership in strategic technologies while supporting national security and economic goals.