Tesla establishes China site to store car data locally

Tesla Inc said on Tuesday it had established a site in China for storing car data locally, as automakers come under increasing scrutiny over how they handle data collected by vehicle cameras and sensors.

Tesla said in a Weibo post that data generated by all vehicles it sells in China, where it is making Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles, would be stored in the nation.

The automaker added it would expand its data center network in China.

China is the world’s biggest auto market and the second largest for Tesla.

The country is drafting rules to ensure the security of information generated by connected automobiles as their increasing popularity fuels concerns about privacy and national security.

Staff at some Chinese government offices have been informed not to park their Tesla cars inside government compounds because of concerns over security and vehicle cameras, two people with an understanding of the matter told Reuters last week.

Tesla is developing a platform for vehicle owners in China that will enable them to access data generated by their vehicles. It is also increasing its engagement with mainland regulators and strengthening its government relations team.