The Biden administration is proposing a rule to block the sale and import of Chinese- and Russian-made hardware and software for connected vehicles, potentially bolstering U.S. security against a hacking threat that the Commerce Department describes as ¡°very real.¡±

The proposed ban aims to secure vehicles which can communicate externally through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular or satellite systems, a feature that¡¯s increasingly commonplace with new vehicles. Officials said these systems are at risk of foreign interference, which could lead to disruption and sabotage.

¡°This is not about trade or economic advantage. This is a strictly national security action,¡± U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a call to reporters. ¡°We are focused on the national security threat, very real threat, that connected vehicles pose to our country and the American people.¡±