On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Darren Soto (D-FL) announced they had established the Vehicle Data Access Caucus, a bipartisan forum to discuss how vehicle data is collected and controlled.
The Congressmen said all vehicles generate useful information, from personal vehicles to government-owned fleet vehicles to tractors. That information, they said, is helpful for a wide variety of stakeholders. The lawmakers said they hope to bring together various relevant stakeholders to collaborate on what data is accessible, to whom, and what effects any federal actions about that information may have on the industry.
“I am excited to form the Vehicle Data Access Caucus to better facilitate bipartisan, bicameral discussions on vehicle data access,” Carter said. “We must build upon other policy proposals and encourage dialogue in both the private and public sectors to ensure all voices are heard. Whether that involves the ‘ownership’ of the data, who can expand or limit services offered, and who will ensure privacy and cybersecurity, all sentiments are important.”
Carter and Soto’s actions are supported by industry organizations like the American Bus Association, American Car Rental Association, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Automotive Service Association, Automotive Recyclers Association, Consumer Action, NAFA Fleet Management Association, National Consumers League, National Vehicle Leasing Association, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Allianz Technology, Enterprise Holdings Inc., Geotab, Inc., Hertz Corporation, Lytx, Inc., MiX Telematics, Privacy4Cars, Recall Masters, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and Safelite Group.
“This bipartisan effort will help us address the issue of vehicle data access to protect our constituents from privacy violations,” Soto said. “As members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have the opportunity to push for user access to data and necessary protections.”