Zeekr responds to cybersecurity concerns around Chinese vehicles

Zeekr's global vice president has responded to concerns around data privacy with Chinese cars, reaffirming the brand's commitment to complying with "all the local laws".

Speaking with Australasian media at Zeekr Tower in Hangzhou, China, Zeekr International vice president Mars Chen said the Chinese luxury brand is "more than happy to support" local authorities with any potential changes to data privacy regulations.

"Number one, data privacy, right now our product has complied with all the local laws, or legislation, or rules," Mr Chen said.

"So, if in the future the government or authorities want to upgrade [laws] because now we have too many intelligent cars, then I think we are more than happy to also support, to participate, in those regulations' fulfillment."

"I think it's a very sensitive question," Mr Chen continued, after being asked about concerns of Chinese vehicles sending data or recordings back to China.

"When we entered Australia, we analysed end-to-end not just the regular car communication process, but also data connectivity and where the data can be stored.

"I'm coming from Huawei, I worked in Australia for 20 years, so I personally know these kinds of things very well. So for sure, the company, the car, is compliant."

Earlier this year, two unnamed Asian automakers were put under investigation by the Australian Privacy Commissioner over potential breaches of privacy laws.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind revealed the investigations during a Senate estimates hearing on February 10, 2026, responding to a question from Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie.

“We have open investigations against two separate entities. We conducted further preliminary inquiries against two separate entities, but did not decide to take them forward,” the commissioner said.

The latest investigations come after previous concerns both here and overseas about data collection in cars with internet connections – ‘connected cars’, as they're often called – and how this information is used, sold, and even who legally owns it.

In 2024, concerns over ‘spying’ vehicles saw then US President Joe Biden move to ban software and hardware from China and Russia in cars sold there, which has helped lock Chinese car brands out of the lucrative US market – second only to China in terms of the number of new cars sold each year.

In New Zealand, Zeekr's cheapest model is the Zeekr X electric crossover, which kicks off from $59,990 plus on-road costs. The larger 7X EV starts from $69,990 plus on-road costs.