BYD has removed mentions of "China" and "surveillance" from its privacy policy, according to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The change was reported on Monday, 21 September 2026.
The revision comes as Australian outlets have been examining security questions surrounding Chinese-made electric vehicles. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation also reports that experts have raised what it describes as "real security concerns" about the cars, which it says are popular with Australian buyers.
Other coverage in the same period points to related scrutiny. News.com.au reported that an Australian hacker exposed a security flaw in a BYD vehicle, a story described as "scary." The Australian reported warnings about an "EV trap" for the country, arguing that the federal Labor government has not acted. Drive.com.au noted that data collection and monitoring capabilities are not limited to Chinese vehicles, suggesting the issue extends beyond one manufacturer or country of origin.
The reporting does not establish why BYD altered the wording of its policy, and no explanation from the company is included in the available material. The articles also do not specify which sections of the policy were changed or when the edits took effect. What the coverage does show is that the policy language is being read alongside broader questions about what connected vehicles collect and who can access it.
For Australian drivers, the practical question is whether regulators will examine vehicle data practices directly. Watch for any response from BYD, and for whether Australian authorities open a review of connected-car data collection.