OAIC Launches Investigation on 2 Asia-Based Carmakers Over Data Harvesting Allegations

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has launched formal investigations into two carmakers over allegations that their smart cars are illegally harvesting data.

OAIC has refused to name the carmakers. However, it did confirm that both are based in Asia.

OAIC Launches Investigation Into 2 Smart Car Makers

According to ACS, Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind updated the senate regarding these investigations.

“We have open investigations against two separate entities,” Kind said to the senate. “We conducted further preliminary inquiries against two separate entities but did not decide to take them further.”

Senator Bridget McKenzie pressed Kind and asked if these car makers are based in China. However, the commissioner declined to confirm or deny.

Kind Previously Raised Security Concerns

Multiple reports have noted that this is not the first time that Commissioner Kind has raised concerns about potential breaches of security involving smart cars.

In a speech at the University of New South Wales last year, Kind said that “By collecting so many data points, connected cars provide as many opportunities for malicious or rogue actors to access and misuse that information.”

WhichCar’s report also points out that the United States has previously already banned the sale of software and hardware from Chinese and Russian car makers due to concerns over privacy and national security.