Consumer Access to and Control of Vehicle Data

Many of the devices we use every day collect our data and transmit it wirelessly to the manufacturer. We know that phones, computers and other devices collect data, and the same is true for the vehicles we drive.

Most new vehicles collect data and sent it wirelessly to the manufacturer. The technical term for this is telematics. Telematics data can include information on:

• Your driving behavior, such as steering, acceleration and braking

• Important repair and maintenance data

• Your GPS location

• Vehicle health, including fuel use, emissions and engine hours

• and more.

The Issue

If data is stored on a computer inside a vehicle, the owner can control who has direct access and control of it. But newer vehicles began wirelessly transmitting data — straight to vehicle manufacturers using a technology called telematics. This could leave manufacturers with complete control over who sees vehicle data and how it's used. Potentially, they could share and sell it to third parties without consumers’ consent or knowledge, costing them time and money.

Members of the automotive aftermarket industry depend on this crucial data to assist with maintenance and repair. If vehicle manufacturers control consumer vehicle data, they could limit the number of choices consumers have to get their vehicles repaired and give manufacturer-authorized facilities an unfair advantage over the aftermarket.

The Solution

AASA believes drivers should demand the right to transparency around the data collected from their vehicles, including what was collected, how it was used and with whom it was shared, among other rights. With vehicle data, drivers unwittingly generate new revenue streams for vehicle manufacturers every time they get behind the wheel. They have a right to control it. Read the full Driver Bill of Rights at YourCarYourData.org.

Toolkit

The ability to directly access data from a vehicle is at risk. It will take the united front of the automotive aftermarket industry to ensure that consumers can continue to choose who maintains and repairs their vehicle. We all need to get involved – educate and engage your organization by leveraging the tools within these toolkits.

Browse industry and consumer resources. 

Resources

In The News

• [The Washington Post] What does your car know about you? We hacked a Chevy to find out.

• [News 4 Jax] Data from your car could be sold to insurance companies, others

• [New York Times] Your Car Knows When You Gain Weight

• [New York Times] It’s Your iPhone. Why Can’t You Fix It Yourself?

• [NBC News] What does your car know about you? More than you might think.

• [Roll Call] Your car is watching you. Who owns the data?

• [U.S. Senate] Merkley Presses Car Manufacturers for Answers Over Collection of Driver Data

• [Car and Driver] Data Privacy Goes the Way of the Carburetor

• [Transport Topics] Aftermarket Industry Representatives Ask for Equal Access to Repair Data

• [CBS News] Carmakers are collecting data and cashing in

• [WTOP Radio] What your car knows about you - and who it's telling

• [Consumer Reports] Who Owns the Data Your Car Collects?

• [Washington Post] Big Brother on wheels: Why your car company may know more about you than your spouse

• [Ars Technica] Car companies are preparing to sell driver data to the highest bidder

• [Vice Motherboard] Connected cars will run on your personal data, U.S. privacy laws aren't keeping up

• [The Salem News] Repair Shop Perspective: Right to Repair Law Needs Tune-Up to Address Vehicle Data

• [The Patriot Ledger] Right to Repair Needs Update

• [Remarkable Results Radio] Ownership of Vehicle Telematic Data Must Flow to the Vehicle Owner

• [WBUR] Your Car Talks To The Manufacturer. Advocates Want It To Talk To You, Too.

• [The Security Ledger] Who Owns the Data Smart Cars Collect?

• [Automotive News] Car Data Not Just for Pro Racers

What You Can Do Now

Sign the petition today to demand consumers have direct access to and control of their car data.