Tesla emulates Apple policy, plans to store Chinese user data locally

U.S-based electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla Inc. has reportedly decided to establish an isolated data center in China to enable the ‘localization of data storage.

The rigorous norms on the handling of user data in China have become a sensitive matter for foreign tech companies functioning in the nation. Global tech giant Apple Inc. had recently announced its decision to store Chinese user data in a state-owned cloud service.

According to market analysts, this move could enable Chinese states to gain access to Apple’s user data. However, Apple has refuted these claims stating that it would never compromise the security of its customers.

Tesla is following Apple’s suit to comply with new requirements devised by Chinese authorities regulating how sensors and cameras allow carmakers to collect and utilizes data. One of these conditions requires personal data to be stored within the Chinese territory, according to sources.

If reports are to be believed, all data collected from the sale of Tesla vehicles in mainland China will be stored domestically. However, the level of access Chinese authorities will have to Tesla’s customer database is still unclear.

It is to be noted that the EV manufacturer has been facing fierce competition from domestic rivals like Xpeng and NIO, which are increasingly focusing on developing best-in-class designs and autonomous driving technology.

With this move, Tesla is hoping to be in the Chinese government’s good graces in its second-largest market. The American firm also participated in an industry symposium with companies like Alibaba, and Baidu to deliberate on the new vehicle policy put forth by China’s cybersecurity watchdog.

In other news, Chinese EV maker and Tesla rival, Li Auto, launched the 2021 Li ONE, a hybrid plug-in luxury SUV, to gain an advantage in the country’s crowded electric vehicle market.

Source Link –

https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/26/tesla-china-user-data-storage/