U.S. Senators Markey And Blumenthal Push For Automaker Regulation

A law proposed by two U.S Senators would make automakers more accountable for prevention of cyber security hacking of their vehicles. United States Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), are behind The Security and Privacy in Your Car Act of 2015, which calls for measures to be taken to protect consumer data and safety. Speaking about this bill Senator Markey said in a statement, “Drivers shouldn’t have to choose between being connected and being protected. This legislation will set minimum standards and transparency rules to protect the data, security and privacy of drivers in the modern age of increasingly connected vehicles.”

The protection this bill is supposed to provide is multifaceted. The bill would set minimum standards for automaker cyber security. It would also establish a rating system for consumers so they can know how secure their vehicle is. It also seeks to protect consumer data. After all, when a vehicle is connected to 4G and connected to a personal cellphone, the potential for collecting personal data exists. The Senators behind this bill seem to fear that automakers would sell personal data to marketing companies, thus they want safeguards in place to prevent that.

Senator Blumenthal said in a press release that automakers aren’t doing a very good job with data protection right now. In that statement Senator Blumenthal said, “Rushing to roll out the next big thing, automakers have left cars unlocked to hackers and data-trackers. Federal law must provide minimum standards and safeguards that keep hackers out of drivers’ private data lanes. Security and safety need not be sacrificed for the convenience and promise of wireless progress.”

This bill proposal comes in conjuncture with Wire magazine’s recent release of a video in which a 2014 Jeep Cherokee was hacked, turned off and put into a minor accident in a ditch. If nothing else vehicle cyber security is getting more attention and this should tell dealers that consumers may start to ask questions. If they do, what will you tell them? As far as the bill is concerned, do you think automakers need legislation to push them to further the cause of vehicle cyber security and data privacy?