A group of U.S. Senators is taking a stand against automakers who are blocking right-to-repair laws and making money from your driving data. Senators Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, and Josh Hawley recently sent letters to big car companies like Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, accusing them of putting profits ahead of consumer rights.
Senator Merkley didn’t hold back, saying, “We need to hit the brakes on automakers stealing your data and blocking your right to repair.” The Senators argue that car companies claim sharing vehicle data with independent repair shops could hurt security, yet they’re happily selling that same data to third parties like insurance companies.
Here’s the problem: About 70% of car repairs happen at independent shops, and drivers love them for being affordable and reliable. But automakers want to keep this data to themselves, often pushing customers to pricey dealership repairs instead.
The Senators aren’t buying the automakers’ cybersecurity excuses, pointing out that poor-quality software, not data sharing, is what leads to real security risks. Plus, a German court recently ruled that automakers can’t use these claims to block repair data.
What’s worse? Automakers are profiting from selling your driving data, without your consent, while blocking your ability to fix your car on your own terms.
The Senators are giving these companies until January 6 to come clean about their data practices and repair policies. With pressure building, it looks like the fight for consumer rights isn’t over just yet. Stay tuned!
