More than 200 automotive companies are sending data from motorists in real time to Chinese authorities, according to an agency report. Among them were car manufacturers such as Tesla, Ford and General Motors but also the German auto giant Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler, writes the news agency AP, citing several companies and industry experts.
In Shanghai alone, 220,000 vehicles and even 1.1 million vehicles are monitored in this way. Fewest motorists know the report, the data transfer.
The automakers forward more than 60 different data points to the Shanghai Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting and Research Center (SHEVDC). Among them, according to the report, also location information, which are retrieved in real time. With them you can create motor profiles of motorists. Also conclusions on place of residence or workplace are possible.
Volkswagen confirms data transmission
The manufacturers point out that they only followed specific laws for electric cars. "In China, there are real-time monitoring systems where we have to provide car data to a government system," says Jochem Heizmann, CEO of Volkswagen Group China. His company can not rule out that the data will be used for state surveillance. With the data can also determine the holder of the monitored vehicle, as a VW spokesman confirmed to SPIEGEL ONLINE.
However, Volkswagen ensures personal data - such as the identity of the driver - with its own systems. In addition, cars would not give away more information than smartphones. "Without these real-time monitoring systems, not a single electric car should be allowed in China," the VW spokesman continues. In Germany there is no such practice.
Daimler also submits data in accordance with industry regulations. Previously, the company informed the car buyers but about the data transfer. BMW, Ford and Mitsubishi were initially unwilling to comment, AP writes.
Supposedly monitoring for better infrastructure
E-car data would be needed to improve public safety and infrastructure development, the Chinese government said. Beijing raise it "to avoid incidents related to battery malfunction and increase safety." The survey also prevents subsidy fraud. In the past there had been reports of companies that had received funds for electric cars that did not exist.
Ding Xiaohua, deputy director of the data authority SHEVDC, also sees no state surveillance: The government does not need this data if it wants to monitor citizens, says Ding. The security forces have "their own ways" to monitor suspects.
Manufacturers see no need for action
On the other hand, experts regard the data transfer critically: "One learns a great deal about people's daily activities," says Michael Chertoff, former Homeland Security Secretary under ex-US President George W. Bush. The method is part of a general monitoring strategy. It records almost all the information that helps the state to restrict people's freedom.
Car makers should question themselves fundamentally "if they give the tools for massive surveillance to a government of an authoritarian country," says US expert Chertoff. The manufacturers themselves see no need for action. Almost everyone has announced that they will massively expand their range of e-cars in China.