California State Regulators to Review Data Protection Policies of Car Manufacturers
Overview
California state regulators are conducting an audit of car manufacturers’ data protection policies in relation to connected vehicles. This audit specifically focuses on vehicles that integrate with drivers’ mobile phones to power popular infotainment features, such as Apple’s CarPlay or Google’s Android Auto.
Ashkan Soltani, executive director of the California Privacy Protection Agency, described modern vehicles as “connected computers on wheels” that can collect vast amounts of information through built-in apps, sensors, and cameras, both inside and around the vehicle.
Enforcement and Compliance
The California Privacy Protection Agency’s enforcement division is currently contacting car manufacturers to assess how they use and collect consumer data, ensuring compliance with California’s privacy laws. The agency has not disclosed the specific carmakers involved in the review.
This review is being carried out under a 2018 state law that grants Californians the right to know the personal information businesses collect about them and the right to request the deletion of their information.
