China’s BYD Arrival in South Korean Market Sparks Data Leak Concerns

Local industry observers are concerned that China could gain access to data stored by BYD’s vehicles.

A BYD Atto 3 electric sports utility vehicle gets charged while on display at a BYD dealership in Yokohama, Japan, on April 4, 2023. Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo

South Korean industry observers have expressed concerns over potential data leaks to China following the recent entry of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD in South Korea, according to local reports.

BYD officially entered South Korea’s market last month with its Atto 3 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), priced at around 31 million won ($21,323). With government subsidies, the price could drop to as low as 20 million won ($13,760), Yonhap News Agency (YNA) reported.