Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act
Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced
Summary
Owner control of vehicle data is the bill's central goal. The bill would stop automakers from accessing or selling most vehicle and user data without clear owner consent and would require free, real-time access and controls, including an open API.
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- Owners and families would get real-time access, deletion tools, and the ability to set preferences at no extra cost through the vehicle interface, wireless transmission, or an open API.
- Manufacturers would be barred from accessing, selling, or sharing covered data except for safety or performance, with sales allowed only after a warrant, a court order with notice, emergency response, or clear written owner consent; sharing personally identifiable information with China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Venezuela is specifically forbidden.
- The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive acts and would prepare a report within 180 days in consultation with DOJ, DHS, DOT, and the FCC on data flows, foreign access, cybersecurity risks, and the feasibility of a secure, technology-neutral interface.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on manufacturers sharing your data
If enacted, manufacturers could not access your covered vehicle data without your clear written consent. Consent would have to be freely given, informed, specific, unambiguous, in writing, and easy to withdraw; next of kin can consent if the owner is dead or incapacitated. Manufacturers could only access data without that consent to maintain or improve vehicle performance or safety, or when compelled by a lawful warrant, a court order with at least 48 hours' notice to object and request a hearing, or to help an emergency response. The bill would also bar giving personally identifiable information of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to five named foreign governments: North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
You can access and control vehicle data
If enacted, you would be able to get real-time access to all data your covered vehicle generates or receives. Access must be free beyond the vehicle purchase price and provided through the vehicle port and wireless if equipped. You would be able to delete user data and set any user preference using an open API, and manufacturers could not charge fees or require special devices to read your data. Federal rules on owner access would override state laws that conflict, though manufacturers could still withhold trade secrets defined in 49 C.F.R. 512.3(c).
Enforcement, report, timing, and funding
If enacted, violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the Federal Trade Commission Act and the FTC would use its usual powers to enforce the rules. The FTC must report to Congress within 180 days about who accesses vehicle data, cybersecurity risks, sales or sharing, foreign government recipients, and the feasibility of an open, secure owner access interface. The bill would take effect three months after enactment. No new money would be authorized; the FTC must use amounts already appropriated to carry out the Act.
Which vehicles and data are covered
If enacted, the bill would define key words used across the law. "Covered vehicle" would mean motor vehicles and vehicles primarily used for farming or construction, including trailers. "Covered data" would include both user data you transfer to the vehicle and all electronic data the vehicle generates or processes, including precise geolocation and internet activity. "Personally identifiable information" would include direct and indirect identifiers and location or internet activity.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov