09/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 15:01
Senator introduces new bill to address how car companies can use Americans' data
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced the introduction of new legislation to protect consumers' privacy from companies who collect and sell Americans' car data.
Currently, there is a troubling trend of collecting, storing, and selling data from Americans' vehicles - largely without drivers' knowledge. Recent reporting has even documented automakers selling the data from millions of cars to make billions in profit, including car manufacturers selling consumers' private data to insurance companies.
"We need to hit the brakes on big corporations collecting and profiting off of drivers' data without their consent," Merkley said. "Automakers should not have the power to invade our privacy unchecked, and we need strong protections in place to guarantee that Americans' privacy comes before corporate profits."
Merkley introduced the Car Privacy Rights Act to require any company or third party that collects car data - including car manufacturers, insurance companies, and digital applications - to get explicit consent from the consumer to share or sell their data. The bill also requires these entities to provide a clear option to opt-out of the data collection entirely, ensuring consumers are not locked into these predatory practices.
The Car Privacy Rights Act stands up for the privacy of drivers across the nation by:
The Car Privacy Rights Act is cosponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
A detailed summary of the bill can be found by clicking here.
A copy of the bill can be found by clicking here.
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