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Recent security tests of a minivan jointly manufacutred by Chinese companies JAC and Huawei were enough to terrify potential buyers. In three live tests, the bracket mounting the brake pedal to the van’s frame snapped.

The test video was heavily shared on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat, Douyin and Bilibili. It was the worst possible news for the responsible firms.

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But within 24 hours, the video had disappeared from Chinese platforms such as Bilibili, and several related online posts and reports had vanished too. Viewers on WeChat Video were informed the video could not be played due to an unspecified “violation.” The case prompted discussion of the benefits and limits of consumer reporting in China — a vibrant consumer society with some of the world’s strictest controls on information.

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Many suspected Huawei, suggesting the tech giant, which has a growing interest in automated driving systems and other car technology, had applied pressure. Some went even further, speculating that the powerful Huawei was being shielded by authorities.

These questions were deepened by the disappearance of other critical posts. Among these was a post made on the WeChat public account Xinjiang Release (新疆发布), run by the government information office in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region. The post faulted Maextro for failing to address the real safety concerns head on, instead resorting to the citation of complex technical standards. It was called, “Can You Speak Like a Human When Responding to Product Safety Concerns?”

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