In a move aimed at protecting the privacy of car owners, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced bills in both the House and Senate on Wednesday. The bills are intended to address concerns raised by the extensive data collection, storage, and sale practices of automakers regarding connected cars.
The Senate bill, known as the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act, seeks to mandate automakers to establish opt-in mechanisms for collecting vehicle data. Additionally, it prohibits manufacturers from sharing, selling, or leasing customer data without explicit consent. The proposed legislation also empowers car owners to delete their data after connecting to their vehicle and tasks the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with reporting to Congress on data collection practices by car companies.
Moreover, the bill includes provisions to prevent data sharing with adversarial countries and grants car owners access to their vehicle’s data through a system outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led the introduction of the Senate bill, highlighting the importance of data privacy in the automotive industry.
On the House side, Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) introduced a companion bill that mirrors the Senate’s proposed legislation. The bills have garnered support from industry groups such as NAFA, a fleet managers association, and the American Car Rental Association.
Senator Merkley emphasized the need for measures to safeguard individuals’ privacy and data rights in the face of increasing data collection practices by corporations. He stressed the importance of giving Americans control over their vehicle data and the ability to dictate its usage.
However, the timing of the bill’s introduction, just two weeks before the end of the congressional session, raises questions about its potential passage. With all pending bills set to expire at the close of the session, the future of the proposed legislation remains uncertain.
The bipartisan effort to address data privacy concerns in the automotive sector reflects a growing awareness of the need to protect consumers’ personal information in an increasingly connected world. As technology continues to advance, lawmakers are grappling with the challenges posed by the collection and use of data by companies, especially in industries like automotive, where connected features are becoming more prevalent.
Moving forward, the bills introduced in the House and Senate signal a concerted effort to establish clear guidelines and safeguards for vehicle data privacy. By advocating for increased transparency and consent mechanisms, lawmakers aim to empower car owners and ensure greater control over the use of their personal information. It remains to be seen whether these proposed measures will garner enough support to become law, but they represent a significant step towards enhancing data privacy protections for consumers in the automotive industry.