(Yicai) Oct. 17 -- Tesla and Mobileye, two overseas-based self-driving technology developers, said they strictly abide by all Chinese laws and regulations after the country’s security ministry announced that a foreign company has unlawfully conducted mapping activities.

Compliance is the foundation of Tesla’s business operations, Tao Lin, vice president of external affairs at the Austin-based firm, said in a post on Chinese microblogging site Weibo yesterday. The company set up the Tesla Shanghai Data Center in 2021 to store data locally.

An overseas company has been found to have illegally carried out geographic surveys and mapping activities on Chinese territory under the guise of research for smart driving in collaboration with a licensed Chinese mapping firm and has transmitted the data abroad, the Ministry of State Security said yesterday, without identifying either business.

“We have continuously invested in data compliance and regulatory adherence, including in China, where we operate under the supervision of licensed entities in full accordance with legal requirements,” Mobileye, the autonomous driving unit under Intel, said today.

“Our commitment to working within the framework of all applicable laws and regulations ensures that our operations meet the highest standards of compliance,” the Jerusalem-based firm added.

Chinese digital mapper NavInfo firmly denied any involvement, saying on Weibo last night that it adheres to all laws, its business operations are compliant, and the Beijing-based company firmly opposes any online rumors that tarnish or damage its reputation.

“The matter has nothing to do with Zeekr, nor its partners,” said Yang Xueliang, senior vice president of carmaker Geely Holding Group, which is a Mobileye customer and produces the Zeekr auto marque. 

Editor: Kim Taylor