Katherine Padgett Discusses Commerce Notice on “Connected Vehicles”

Foreign Investment Watch has quoted Akin international trade counsel Katherine Padgett for its article “BIS wants insights for an upcoming rule on ICTS in ‘connected vehicles.” The article discusses the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) recent request for comments on issues and questions involving “information and communications technology and services” (ICTS) connected vehicles that are developed or supplied by foreign adversaries.

According to Katherine, BIS is gathering information to assess which prohibitions should be implemented to address concerns of national security, saying “This action shows that the Biden Administration is concerned about vulnerabilities caused by ICTS in ‘connected vehicles’ that could create national security concerns but not with enough certainty to announce any specific prohibitions.”

She added that, while some of the prohibitions under consideration could have “unintended consequences” for the auto sector and consumers in the U.S., Commerce is offering an opportunity for stakeholders to provide comments. “The good news for stakeholders is that the comment period now underway provides an immediate means to have their views considered before Commerce takes further action.”