The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) has managed to stall enforcement of a ballot measure recently passed in Massachusetts that expands access to data related to vehicle maintenance and repair. Last week, the relatively new lobbying/trade group asked a U.S. district court for a temporary order that would bar implementation of the state’s new right-to-repair rules aimed at giving vehicle owners more direct control of their private data and independent repair shops a fighting chance of staying in business. But the state’s attorney general has already decided that the rules are invalid until after federal cases have been decided.
The decision represents another victory for giant, multinational corporations at the expense of disgusting citizens interested in controlling their personal information and small business owners who have had it easy for far too long.
According to court filings shared by Automotive News, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said on Monday that her office will not enforce the state’s revised law until there has been a ruling on claims challenging the legislation in federal courts. As such, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation no longer needs to worry about the rules until after claims are dismissed or a trial has been completed and has withdrawn its initial request.
The AAI represents most global automakers and several major suppliers — including Aptiv, Argo, BMW, Bosch, Byton, Denso, FCA, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Intel, Isuzu, Jaguar Land Rover, Karma, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, PSA Group, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars. They’re fighting against a rule that was originally supposed to take effect this month and require them to equip vehicles that use telematics (which is most of them in 2020) with a standardized open-access data platform that would be easily accessible to drivers and/or third parties approved by the vehicle owner. However, it only impacts automobiles from the 2022 model year onward.
The industry already uses telematics to collect and wirelessly transmit all manner of data — everything from vehicle location to maintenance schedules, and everything in between. While manufacturers typically focus on how this can help with remote diagnostics and over-the-air updates, critics are annoyed that they are gatekeeping the data from literally everyone while building enormous analytics centers for themselves. In fact, BMW recently announced it would be partnering with Amazon Web Services to develop a cloud-based IT solution allowing it to integrate data and analytics into literally every aspect of the business “from vehicle development to after-sales services.”
But it’s hardly the only manufacturer working on such programs. Most major names have data centers already and have begun leveraging customer information.
While consumer advocates have said this gives an unreasonable amount of control to industry giants, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation claims the Massachusetts law represents a major cybersecurity threat and couldn’t possibly be accomplished within the original timeline. It also launched a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts last month, alleging that the new rules are unconstitutional and in direct violation of federal laws.
We’re inclined to believe that the revised right-to-repair laws would be fairly difficult to comply with on such a narrow timeline. But we also know that the industry has no intention of delaying its implementation so it can create a window to get ready. It’s worried that Massachusetts will set a national precedent that will require it to share data and make it harder for certified service centers to monopolize the repair industry.
It almost makes you feel sorry for them.
[Image: CAT SCAPE/Shutterstock]
It’s really very simple:
I want a federal law that allows me – the vehicle owner or lessee – to prohibit any and all information about my whereabouts and behavior from being transmitted to, collected by and used by the automakers.
I want that law to specifically prohibit the automakers from selling my personal information to anyone.
I also want to be able to take my vehicle to any mechanic I want to and have him or her be able to fully service, repair or update that vehicle.
We need GDPR for autos.
+1
Steve, I agree 100%. But it will never happen. The megacorporations have the money, so they have the power. Most people don’t even realize that for most contracts they signed with businesses, they have signed away their right to sue. Or sell – read the fine print on a Rosetta Stone box and see who owns what, even though you bought it. Disgusting.
Good on TTAC for covering this story. It’s important.
+1
Someone has got to. It never seems to get as much coverage as it should and will dramatically impact how we enjoy cars moving forward. Just glad to see you guys appreciating it!
I can guarantee the Communist Chinese laugh at their inaccess to data. Just like they laugh at Trudeau for letting Communist Chinese forces occupy Canadian territory. :-/
Another example of the normalization and acceptance of graft in state legislatures.
Corporations (in this case, GM, Ford, Honda, etc.) are today’s whiny welfare queens, complaining about not getting their way, even when their fear campaigns failed to fool the vast majority of the people they were trying to dupe.
Rather than take the loss and move on, they throw a legal tantrum and continue their efforts to subvert voter will.
Hmmm, sounds very much like the behavior of big banks committing fraud throughout the early 2000s.
At what point do we replace the stars on the flag with bananas?
Are they serious? It’s not enough that we buy their disposable junk? Can’t they just charge more? Instead of screwing us over at every frickin’ turn?
Their dealer/service criminals are another story, but our best defense is buying used, keep what we have. Repair, restore, upgrade, customize, etc.
Yes have some fun with it. Or are we that addicted to the latest tech/gadgetry? Yeah for some, and they’re probably better off with it, happier and whatnot.
I hope automakers are prepared for the backlash, fallout, etc. From what I can tell, it’s already happening. New vehicle sales have been stagnant for years, while the auto aftermarket has been growing exponentially in the same frame time.
Automakers have been tunneling into SEMA for some time now. Screw them and their crate engines. It’s much more cost effective to grab one from the junk yard, fully dressed, wire harnesses, the whole shebang bang.
So all you R voters got your judges who are now going to side with corporate interests over the consumers. And you are now all hurt and confused about how this happened.