Rep. Burlison Introduces Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act
Sen. Mike Lee to Champion Companion Bill in the Senate
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO) introduced the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act, a crucial step toward protecting the personal privacy of American vehicle owners. The bill ensures consumers maintain control over the data generated by their automobiles, prohibits unauthorized data sharing, and strengthens safeguards against misuse by manufacturers and foreign entities. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a companion bill in the Senate, highlighting the commitment to addressing this critical issue.
“Americans shouldn’t have to trade their privacy for convenience when driving their cars,” said Rep. Burlison. “This legislation prioritizes the rights of consumers, safeguarding their sensitive personal information from exploitation. I’m grateful to Sen. Mike Lee for leading this effort in the Senate.”
“Ownership should mean control,” said Senator Lee. “Americans deserve to decide who has access to their personal data and how it is used—whether they are driving to work, harvesting crops, or operating machinery on a construction site. This bill empowers individuals to regain control of their vehicle data and restores transparency to a system that has left too many in the dark.”
Key Provisions:
Control Over Data: Prevents manufacturers from accessing or selling vehicle data without the owner’s explicit, written consent.
Restrictions on Sharing: Limits data sharing to specific circumstances, such as emergencies or court orders.
National Security Protections: Prohibits data sharing with entities tied to nations like China, Russia, and Iran.
Consumer Access: Requires manufacturers to provide owners with free access to their vehicle data and the ability to delete it.
A study by the Mozilla Foundation found that 92% of car brands provide drivers little or no control over their data, with many collecting highly sensitive information and sharing it with third parties, including advertisers and potentially adversarial nations. Auto data monetization is projected to generate $450-$750 billion by 2030, incentivizing intrusive practices that compromise consumer privacy.
“The Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act puts Americans back in the driver’s seat when it comes to their personal data,” Burlison added.
Cosponsors: Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05)
Group Support:
Bill Chankel, CEO - National Association of Fleet Administrators
“NAFA, the national association of public and private fleet managers, is pleased to see progress on the important subject of data access for vehicle owners and lessees. We appreciate the efforts of Senator Lee and Representative Burlison in developing legislation to ensure that vehicle owners and lessees have unrestricted access to the data generated by the vehicles they operate, data that is critical to ongoing improvements in efficient fleet operations. We look forward to working with the Congress and other stakeholders in developing effective bipartisan legislation on vehicle data access.”
Sharky Laguana, President – Board of Directors of the American Car Rental Association
“The American Car Rental Association (ACRA) strongly supports the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act, which aims to protect consumer data privacy and give vehicle owners greater control over their data. The data access for vehicle owners and data deletion provisions for consumers are crucial for ensuring transparency, fairness, and privacy protection.
Facilitating open APIs (application programming interfaces) allows consumers and vehicle owners to delete data from the vehicle’s infotainment system that may have been downloaded during the consumer’s use. This provision helps maintain consumer privacy and ensures that personal information is effectively managed. Both the vehicle owner data access and consumer data deletion provisions align with ACRA's mission to drive growth and innovation while safeguarding customer privacy. This legislation will help ensure fair competition by removing unnecessary barriers imposed by manufacturers and giving car rental companies more flexibility to innovate.
We thank Senator Mike Lee and Representative Eric Burlison for their leadership and are committed to working with Congress and the administration to ensure swift passage of this legislation."