Leapmotor says it will continue using cameras supplied by Chinese manufacturer Dahua in vehicles sold in Australia, despite security concerns linked to the company’s equipment. The issue drew renewed attention after an ABC Four Corners report examined data privacy across several car brands, including Leapmotor.
Leapmotor Australia chief Andy Hoang said the vehicles had undergone independent testing for privacy certification. He described the cameras as supporting driver-safety functions and said footage is captured through the dashcam, with export available only via USB. Dahua equipment was barred from Australian federal government buildings in 2023, following restrictions in the United States and United Kingdom amid spyware concerns.
Hoang said that, out of every 100 customers, about two had contacted the company with questions after the report. He also pointed to Leapmotor’s partnership with Stellantis, saying the business must meet privacy requirements including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. The two companies operate a joint venture to distribute Leapmotor vehicles in export markets.
The Four Corners program also discussed remote access to BYD and Xpeng vehicles. In response, BYD said it found a software vulnerability in the Shark 6 and was addressing it through an over-the-air update; it said the initial access demonstrated in the program required physical contact with the vehicle and specialist tools.