Weeks following Ottawa’s announcement permitting a limited quantity of Chinese-manufactured vehicles into the Canadian market, concerns have been raised regarding potential data privacy risks. However, this apprehension may not deter consumers seeking new automobiles.
While exploring the Canadian International AutoShow, Dianne Dougall and Pat Shephard, in search of a new electric vehicle to replace their Tesla, expressed interest in Chinese-made EVs. They indicated that privacy concerns would not be any more significant than those with any other connected vehicle, citing the widespread storage of data by various countries.
Debbie Perriccioli from Waterdown, Ont., also attending the auto show and nearing the end of her vehicle lease, expressed a willingness to consider Chinese-made vehicles, noting that privacy concerns were no longer a major deterrent for her.
Survey data indicates that 61% of Canadians polled by Leger between Jan. 30 and Feb. 2 supported the introduction of Chinese EVs in the Canadian market. When asked about concerns, a larger number of respondents highlighted worries about vehicle quality and impacts on the Canadian auto industry, surpassing those concerned about privacy and security.
Experts interviewed by CBC News concurred that data security remains a significant issue for modern connected vehicles, regardless of their country of origin. They highlighted the inadequacy of Canada’s privacy laws in safeguarding consumer data from being accessed by the manufacturing nation, including China.
David Masson, Vice President and Field Chief Information Security Officer at Darktrace, emphasized that all vehicles are essentially computerized nowadays, underscoring that the source of the vehicle, be it electric or conventional, doesn’t alter the fundamental data security concerns.
China’s enactment of national security laws over the past decade, mandating cooperation with the government, has raised concerns about data privacy. The concerns are magnified by the extensive range of data collected by modern vehicles, encompassing voice data, location information, driving habits, and smartphone-linked data.
Critics like Pierre Poilievre and Doug Ford have condemned the agreement with China, with Poilievre labeling the EVs as “roving surveillance systems” and Ford denouncing them as “spy cars.” Industry leaders, including Brian Kingston from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, echoed these concerns, citing potential security risks and the impact on domestic auto manufacturers.
Formerly apprehensive about privacy, Ottawa now stipulates that Chinese vehicles must adhere to Canadian security standards for sale in the country. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree reassured during a parliamentary committee hearing that measures would be implemented to prevent data transmission to China.
Experts like Beth-Anne Schuelke-Leech emphasized the importance of robust regulations to protect consumer data in connected vehicles, highlighting the absence of a comprehensive security framework in Canada. BYD appears to be the sole major Chinese automaker registered to import passenger cars into Canada, a development potentially linked to the company’s establishment of a bus assembly plant in Newmarket, Ont., in 2019.
National security analyst Stephanie Carvin contested the notion that allowing Chinese vehicles into Canada poses a fresh data security risk, emphasizing existing data privacy concerns and potential economic impacts on the domestic auto industry. She argued that Chinese companies already possess substantial data and financial advantages, creating an uneven playing field for Canadian manufacturers.
The entry of Chinese-made vehicles into the Canadian market has sparked debates on data security, economic implications, and regulatory safeguards. As Canada navigates this new automotive landscape, concerns persist regarding the protection of consumer data and the competitive balance within the domestic auto industry.