Two bills currently before the U.S. Congress could reshape the relationship between car owners and manufacturers, addressing growing concerns over data privacy and repair monopolies. The proposed legislation, the DRIVER Act and the REPAIR Act, aims to give individuals more control over the vehicles they purchase – including the data those vehicles generate and how they are maintained.
The Fight for Data Ownership: The DRIVER Act
The DRIVER Act, introduced by Republican representatives, centers on the principle that if you own a vehicle, you should also own the data it produces. This includes sensitive information like biometrics, precise location tracking, and driver behavior. Automakers would be required to provide secure access to this data in real-time, allowing owners to delete it at will, and giving them a clear option to prevent its sale altogether.
While the bill allows for anonymized data collection for research and diagnostics, it seeks to limit the unchecked accumulation and sale of personal driving information. Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania argues this is a matter of constitutional privacy: “Auto manufacturers are secretly tracking where, when, and how you drive—and it’s an obvious threat to your Constitutional right to privacy.”
Expanding Repair Options: The REPAIR Act
The REPAIR Act addresses the increasingly restricted repair market. Automakers have been accused of withholding critical repair data, tools, and access, forcing owners into expensive dealership service or hindering independent shops. This bill would mandate that manufacturers provide owners with the same access to vehicle-generated data as they give to authorized repair providers.
Congressman Neal Dunn of Florida stated, “Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer.” This is designed to lower repair costs and promote competition by enabling owners to choose where and how their vehicles are serviced.
Why These Bills Matter: Surveillance and Control
The debate isn’t just about convenience; it’s about ownership in the age of data collection. Automakers already profit by selling driving data to insurers and other third parties, potentially raising premiums or influencing pricing. Lobbying groups, such as the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, actively fight against right-to-repair laws, sometimes arguing in court that no privacy expectation exists on public roads.
The National Automobile Dealers Association opposes the REPAIR Act, claiming existing agreements guarantee repair access, yet software locks and subscription fees continue to impede independent mechanics. Consumers should not have to pay extra just to access their own vehicle’s diagnostic codes.
Automakers often justify data restrictions by citing safety and security, even as they sell high-performance vehicles capable of exceeding legal speed limits. This hypocrisy fuels the push for clearer ownership boundaries.
The Industry Response: Opposition and Misinformation
Some organizations, like RevUp American, spread misinformation about the REPAIR Act, falsely claiming it would grant “outsiders” unrestricted access to vehicle systems. In reality, the bill requires automakers to provide owners with the same access as authorized repair providers.
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez highlighted the broader issue: “Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades…We want to be able to fix our own stuff.”
The core of the opposition is a paternalistic view from automakers who distrust their customers and prefer to control every aspect of vehicle ownership. This includes collecting and monetizing data without explicit consent.
These bills are not complete solutions, but they are a necessary first step towards re-establishing consumer rights in the automotive industry. Contacting your representatives to voice your support is crucial.
Ultimately, the future of car ownership hinges on whether lawmakers will prioritize individual control over corporate profit.
You can find your representative and how to contact them here.
