EU Needs Smart-Car Data Security Rules And Can Learn From China, Group Says

Core Viewpoint - The European Union must establish comprehensive regulations to address the security risks associated with intelligent vehicles, particularly those manufactured in China, which are gaining popularity among consumers [1][3]. Group 1: Security Risks of Intelligent Vehicles - Intelligent cars, including electric and hybrid models, collect extensive data, including geospatial and personal information, making European countries vulnerable to cyberattacks and potential exposure of sensitive military and economic activities [2]. - Connected cars can generate up to 1.4 terabytes of data per hour, equivalent to over 250 movies, with some data being sent to cloud-based servers despite limited onboard storage [6]. Group 2: Regulatory Needs and Comparisons - The increasing presence of Chinese-made cars in the EU market necessitates urgent regulatory measures to ensure cybersecurity and data protection [3][9]. - China has implemented a data security certification process for car manufacturers, which could serve as a model for Europe in developing its legal framework to address cybersecurity and data risks [4]. Group 3: Global Concerns and Actions - Global concerns regarding "spy cars" are rising as more consumers purchase vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems, which continuously capture real-time information [5]. - Some countries, including Poland and the US, are already taking steps to mitigate security risks from smart cars, with Poland considering a ban on Chinese cars from military facilities [8]. Group 4: Current Regulatory Landscape in the EU - The EU currently lacks comprehensive regulations for connected vehicles, although the European Commission has identified them as a core category for cybersecurity risk assessment [9]. - The urgency for developing comprehensive rules is heightened by the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, prompting calls for a coalition of willing countries to establish regulations if an EU-wide agreement is unattainable [9][10].