The Texas Attorney General's Office is investigating the data collection and sharing practices of at least four auto companies that may violate state law on deceptive trade practices, according to documents obtained by Recorded Future News. It is said that he is receiving it.
In late April, Kia Motors, General Motors, Subaru, and Mitsubishi Motors received letters requesting a civil investigation from the agency's Consumer Protection Division.
Experts say this is the first known time a state law enforcement agency has turned over documents to a connected car company as part of an enforcement review.
The California Department of Privacy Protection announced in July that it would investigate the data collection and sharing practices of connected car companies and technologies, but the status of that investigation is unclear.
Texas' comprehensive data privacy law doesn't take effect until July 1, but auto privacy experts said they think the law deserves attention in light of the attorney general's letter.
“Requiring data before that date is aggressive and could signal that the Texas government intends to begin enforcing the law as soon as it takes effect,” said Privacy4Cars CEO. ), said Andrea Amico.
It is unclear whether more than four car companies are participating in the investigation. Neither the automaker nor the attorney general's office responded to requests for comment.
The Consumer Protection Division will identify each category and type of subject data collected, the methods used to collect that data, any agreements with third parties to collect or share the data, and the make and model of vehicle data. You have requested a document identifying the list shown. Collected or shared from.
Texas defines covered data as any information collected about a vehicle, “whether anonymized or anonymized, obtained directly or indirectly from the vehicle sold.”
It also provides car companies with “representations” made to car buyers regarding data collection and sharing, documentation on how consent is received, the company’s data governance policy, and any public privacy statements. I was ordered to do so.
The state asked companies to provide information from 2019 to the present. The manufacturer's response is expected to be returned to Attorney General Ken Paxton's office by May 20th.
Connected car data collection and sharing has become increasingly controversial in recent months. On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission issued its first public comments on connected car data privacy policies since 2018, stating that the automaker said, “The FTC is taking action to protect consumers from the unlawful collection, use, and disclosure of personal data.'' We should be careful about what happens.” ”
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