California’s two giant automobile clubs proposed legislation Tuesday that would give car owners more control over computer and Internet data streaming from their vehicles.
About 1 in 5 new cars already collect and transmit to manufacturers data about engine performance, safe or unsafe driving maneuvers, cellphone or entertainment system usage and location. By 2025, every passenger auto is expected to be a “connected car” that’s in constant contact with the Internet and even with nearby cars.
“Our cars are quickly becoming mobile computers,” said bill author Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel). “While this technology provides several important benefits to consumers, it is imperative that there are basic safeguards in place to ensure consumers can decide who has access to their data” and what information should remain private.