(Asian Tech Press) China's state-run Xinhua News Agency has started to ban Tesla cars, a source with knowledge of the matter has told ATP.

According to the source, Xinhua News Agency has already notified in an internal memo to ban Tesla, after receiving a requirement from the Ministry of State Security (MSS), China's state civilian intelligence agency.

In the memo, Xinhua asked all employees at the headquarters and branches in China not to drive Tesla cars due to national security risks.

Xinhua is considered an organ involving secrecy, and the Tesla cars' in-built cameras are alleged to collect sensitive data, which poses a national security threat.

At present, Tesla is no longer allowed to drive into the compounds of the state news agency.