BYD removed China from privacy policy after ABC questions
BYD updated its Australian privacy policy to remove mentions of China and surveillance after ABC Four Corners asked about its data practices.
Electric vehicle maker BYD updated its Australian privacy policy to remove references to China and surveillance after ABC Four Corners asked about its data practices. The original policy said data could be collected through surveillance activities and transferred to 16 countries, including China.
BYD replied two days later saying the policy had been reviewed and updated. The new version removed all China references.
But the deletion does not stop the company transferring Australian driver data overseas, including to China, under Australian privacy law. The updated policy now says BYD will comply with data protection laws if it needs to move data internationally.
BYD told Four Corners it has not transferred any Australian data to Chinese authorities and would not do so, despite China's national security laws requiring companies to cooperate with authorities if asked.
- 16
- Destination countries in original policy
- 100,000 vehicles
- Expected 2026 Australian sales
- 2022
- BYD selling in Australia since
Why it mattersAustralians buying BYD vehicles need to know what happens to their personal data and where it can go. A privacy policy that hides rather than discloses this risk leaves owners in the dark.
AustraliaBYD is on track to sell about 100,000 cars in Australia this year. Any Australian buying a BYD needs to understand the privacy policy governs their vehicle data, location history, and driving behaviour.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
