WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Darren Soto (D-FL) this week established the Vehicle Data Access Caucus, a bipartisan forum for productive conversations about how vehicle data is collected and controlled.
Every vehicle, ranging from postal delivery trucks, public buses, first responder vehicles, tractors, or personal cars, generates information that is useful to a wide variety of stakeholders. The goal of this caucus is to bring all relevant stakeholders together to share their unique perspectives and collaborate to better understand what data is accessible, to whom, and what effects federal actions may have on the industry.
“I am excited to form the Vehicle Data Access Caucus to better facilitate bipartisan, bicameral discussions on vehicle data access. We must build upon other policy proposals and encourage dialogue in both the private and public sectors to ensure all voices are heard. Whether that involves the 'ownership' of the data, who can expand or limit services offered, and who will ensure privacy and cybersecurity, all sentiments are important.” said Rep. Carter.
“I am proud to re-launch the Vehicle Data Access Caucus with Rep. Buddy Carter for the 118th Congress. This bipartisan effort will help us address the issue of vehicle data access to protect our constituents from privacy violations. As members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have the opportunity to push for user access to data and necessary protections,” said Rep. Soto.
This Caucus is supported by the American Bus Association, American Car Rental Association, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Automotive Service Association, Automotive Recyclers Association, Consumer Action, NAFA Fleet Management Association, National Consumers League, National Vehicle Leasing Association, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Allianz Technology, Enterprise Holdings Inc., Geotab, Inc., Hertz Corporation, Lytx, Inc., MiX Telematics, Privacy4Cars, Recall Masters, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and Safelite Group.
"We are very pleased that U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter is Co-chairman of the Vehicle Data Access Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Automotive repair shops need access to vehicle data in order to repair our customers' vehicles, especially as vehicles continue to become more technologically advanced. As an owner of multiple automotive repair shops in Georgia's First District, we appreciate Congressman Carter's continued efforts to protect small businesses" stated Automotive Service Association (ASA) leader April Hernandez, Hernandez Collision Center in Savannah, Georgia.
“The car rental industry welcomes Congressman Carter’s leadership on the important policy issue of vehicle data access by vehicle owners,” stated Jennifer Gelder, Chairman of Budget Car Rental of Atlanta, which operates Budget locations in Brunswick/St. Simons in Mr. Carter’s congressional district. “I hope that his leadership will encourage all stakeholders to come together on a consensus and common sense solution to the vehicle data access policy discussion.”
"We appreciate the focus of the Vehicle Data Access (VDA) Caucus on understanding the complexities of the evolving vehicle data ecosystem and working to find a constructive path forward that appropriately accounts for the expectations of consumers, innovators, and other stakeholders. We look forward to engaging with the VDA Caucus on this important topic,” said the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.
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