The fight for a driver's right to control his or her car data has notched a significant milestone — with more than 15,000 signatures on a petition destined for Congress.
The petition is part of an advocacy campaign led by the Auto Care Association. The Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice. petition surpassed the 15,000 signature mark on Nov. 22. The goal is to collect 25,000 signatures.
“Support for a driver’s right to choose who controls their car data is reaching a fever pitch,” said Bill Hanvey, CEO and president of the Auto Care Association. “We will continue to amplify the diverse voices of our stakeholders and place pressure on lawmakers to do what they know is right: give consumers control of their car data.”
Newer model cars are equipped with advanced technologies that enable real-time, wireless transmission of data related to driver behavior, GPS location and car health, including maintenance and repair information. Without control of and direct access to the diagnostic and repair information wirelessly transmitted from cars, consumers could face greater inconvenience, increased costs and fewer options for repair and maintenance services for their car. If consumers don't have access to the data, the fear is the aftermarket would be left out.
The campaign surrounding the Your Car. Your Data. campaign included a panel discussion in April, and an op-ed by Hanvey in the New York Times. The campaign was front and center at the 2019 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, including another panel discussion that focused on cybersecurity and the connected car.
“It’s great to see the campaign has engaged so many people,” said Paul McCarthy, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. “Access to car data is vital not only for consumers, but also for the continued existence of an industry that supports 4.6 million jobs and generates $392 billion in economic revenue.”
Your Car. Your Data. has secured the support and engagement of several vocal and high-profile National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) professionals, including Clay Millican, Blake Alexander, Erica Enders and Megan Meyer, who have helped raise awareness of this issue among their fans. Millican and Alexander recently met with policymakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss the issue and its potential impact on the nation’s drivers.
“I was shocked and upset when I first learned about this issue,” Millican said. “The alarm bell is ringing, and we need to fix this before it’s too late. To me, it’s simple: if it’s my car, it should be my data.”
As the first professional driver to partner with the campaign, Millican is actively engaged in ensuring car owners and drivers are aware of the access and control issue and how it impacts their daily routines.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.yourcaryourdata.org.
