Leapmotor Maintains Dahua Camera Use in New Vehicles
The automaker continues to utilize Dahua cameras for vehicle safety systems despite international government bans.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Leapmotor continues to equip its vehicles with Dahua cameras for safety functionality, maintaining that the technology adheres to European Union data privacy standards. The company reports that customer concern regarding the equipment remains minimal.
Why it matters
The continued use of Dahua hardware highlights the tension between vehicle safety features and international scrutiny over the manufacturer. While the equipment assists in driving safety, it faces government bans in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia.
Leapmotor vehicles use Dahua cameras for safety driving functions and store dashcam footage exclusively on removable USB drives. The company confirms that all vehicle systems comply with European Union General Data Protection Regulation standards.
The players
Leapmotor
This Chinese automotive manufacturer operates as a joint venture with Stellantis to produce electric vehicles for global export markets.
Dahua
This technology company manufactures security cameras and surveillance equipment that has faced restricted use in several Western nations.
Stellantis
This multinational automotive corporation is a partner in a joint venture with Leapmotor to facilitate its international distribution.
The details
Leapmotor operates as a joint venture with Stellantis for its export markets and utilizes the camera technology primarily for safety-related driving features. While Dahua equipment has been removed from government buildings in several nations due to security fears, the automaker maintains that its implementation is safe and privacy-compliant.
Timeline
2023: Dahua cameras were banned from federal government buildings in the U.S. and U.K.
October 15, 2026: Leapmotor publicly addresses data privacy concerns regarding its equipment.
The Tech Race
Automakers are increasingly balancing global hardware supply chains against the stringent privacy frameworks established by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. This competition highlights the broader industry shift toward vetting third-party component suppliers to meet international data security standards.
Drivers using Leapmotor vehicles will find that all dashcam footage is stored locally on removable USB drives rather than cloud servers. Users should remain aware that these vehicles include safety hardware that is currently restricted from use in certain international government facilities.
The takeaway
Consumers should evaluate the privacy implications of onboard vehicle cameras as international security standards for hardware manufacturers continue to evolve. Transparency regarding data storage remains a critical factor for drivers assessing the security of their vehicle safety systems.
Further reading
Learn more about global standards in Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 7NEWS.
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