Chinese cars making landfall in Korea are nurturing the 'sprout of distrust' … Why they are not sensitive to personal data breaches

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Chinese electric vehicle brands accelerating their offensive on the domestic auto market have come under scrutiny amid controversies over forced overseas transfer of personal information, cybersecurity, and inadequate after-sales management. According to recent National Assembly national audits and relevant authorities, concerns over consumer choice infringement and security risks have simultaneously arisen as Chinese automakers such as BYD and Zeekr transfer collected driving data and personal information to their headquarters.

In particular, during the national audit, it was pointed out that in the case of BYD, purchasing a vehicle is impossible if one does not consent to the transfer of personal information to its China-based headquarters. The collected information includes not only names and email addresses but also sensitive identification data such as chassis numbers and license plate numbers. Furthermore, no clear explanation has been provided regarding whether the headquarters or authorities can access the data under the influence of China's National Intelligence Law. In addition, confusion arose over who operates domestic servers, with Tencent and Alibaba being cited, and it was revealed that technical verification of the headquarters' potential for remote vehicle control remains in a state of absence.

The Personal Information Protection Commission has also begun to grasp the reality of collecting and transferring sensitive information such as location data and voice data overseas for Zeekr, which is about to be launched domestically. Given that connected cars transmit and receive massive amounts of data to overseas servers in real time, there are continuing calls for the urgent establishment of strict government-level guidelines and a transparent verification system.

Along with security controversies, weaknesses have also been exposed in after-sales management and maintenance areas. The Automobile Management Act stipulates that manufacturers must provide repair technology and manuals to private repair shops; however, BYD Korea has not yet begun mandatory technical training for independent repair shops. Consequently, concerns are growing that consumers' repair wait times and cost burdens will increase due to a future shortage of maintenance hubs or delays in parts procurement. Recently, it was revealed that DT Network, BYD Korea's largest official dealer, has sold more than 10,000 units but operates only seven service centers.

Meanwhile, there are also points noting that sensitivity to personal data breaches stems from cultural differences between China and our country. According to the book "Techno-State China," it explained that in China, a structure where the values of individual freedom and privacy are exchanged for the goals of collective stability and order is socially accepted to a certain extent. Viewed through this lens, while surveillance through leaked personal information is perceived as a threat in our country, it can be interpreted that in China, even if the same phenomenon is perceived as somewhat threatening by some, an empirical perception that it simultaneously functions as a safety device has alleviated the sensitivity.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original