Published: February 2013

Protect driver privacy and establish privacy safeguards for “event data recorders”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed mandatory installation of "black boxes" in all cars and small trucks by 2014. Recommendations by the coalition and Consumer Action urge the agency to uphold privacy standards that protect drivers.

Since the NHTSA proposed mandatory installation of "black boxes" in all cars and small trucks by 2014, thirteen states have passed laws that limit the use of event data recorders (EDRs). The agency's proposal is contrary to reasoned decisionmaking for the agency to mandate massive data collection and does not fully amend its current regulations to protect individual privacy. Consumer Action and the coalition recommended that the agency:

(1) Restricts the amount of data that EDRs collect;

(2) Conducts a comprehensive privacy impact assessment;

(3) Upholds Privacy Act protections;

(4) Requires security standards for EDR data; and

(5) Establishes best practices to fully protect the privacy rights of vehicle owners and operators.

 

Lead Organization

EPIC

Other Organizations

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | ADVOCACY FOR PRINCIPLED ACTION IN GOVERNMENT | CENTER FOR DIGITAL DEMOCRACY | CENTER FOR FINANCIAL PRIVACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS | CENTER FOR MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY | CITIZENS FOR PRIVACY IN ALASKA | CONSTITUTIONAL ALLIANCE | CONSUMER ACTION | CONSUMER WATCHDOG | ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION | HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION | LADY LIBERTY'S CONSTITUTION CLEARING HOUSE | LIBERTY COALITION | PATIENT PRIVACY RIGHTS | PRIVACY ACTIVISM | PRIVACY JOURNAL | PRIVACY RIGHTS CLEARINGHOUSE | SECURE ARKANSAS | SECURE THE REPUBLIC | WORLD PRIVACY FORUM

More Information

For more information, please visit EPIC's website

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Protect driver privacy and establish privacy safeguards for “event data recorders”   (EPIC-Coalition-NHTSA-EDR_comments_FINAL.pdf)