Tesla quick to show support for China’s new data collection rules after sharp decline in April sales
- Tesla says on microblogging platform Weibo that it supports the standardisation of the car industry in China
- The US electric vehicle maker faced a backlash after a Model 3 owner staged a protest at the Shanghai Auto Show
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s central internet regulator, released a set of draft rules on car data regulation on its website on Wednesday that include provisions meant to strengthen personal data protection and protect national security.
Carmakers will have to inform and seek customers’ approval before collecting data such as geographical locations, biometric features, driving habits, and audio and video records of their journeys, according to the proposed regulations.
The information collected should be legally stored within China’s border, the rules said. Carmakers will have to get permission from Chinese regulators and pass the relevant security assessments to provide “important and private” data to foreign entities.
The CAC is currently canvassing public opinion on the rules.
