Senators Reintroduced Legislation to Protect Driver Data Privacy
A new proposal aims to limit how automakers collect and sell your personal driving habits and geolocation.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Buying/Selling
Live Poll
Should companies be required to get your consent before collecting and selling your car's data?
Senator Jeff Merkley has reintroduced the Car Privacy Rights Act in the U.S. Senate, a bill designed to restrict how vehicle manufacturers collect and profit from consumer data. If passed, the legislation would require explicit consent before companies share or sell driver information.
Why it matters
Currently, many automakers collect and sell vehicle data without driver knowledge to generate billions in profit. This bill seeks to change that model by ensuring owners have control over their personal geolocation and driving history.
The bill mandates that companies stop the sale of precise geolocation information and requires annual data privacy reports to the Federal Trade Commission. Automakers would also be forced to offer clear, accessible options to opt out of data collection.
The players
Senator Jeff Merkley
A U.S. Senator representing Oregon who is leading the legislative effort to curb data harvesting by automotive manufacturers.
Federal Trade Commission
The federal agency tasked with consumer protection that would receive mandatory annual data privacy reports under the new proposal.
American Civil Liberties Union
A prominent non-profit organization focused on defending individual rights that has officially endorsed the legislation.
The details
The Car Privacy Rights Act would mandate that automakers limit data collection to only what is strictly necessary for providing their products and services. Under the proposed law, manufacturers and insurance companies would be required to allow consumers to revoke consent for data tracking through official websites or mobile applications.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: Senator Merkley reintroduced the Car Privacy Rights Act in the U.S. Senate.
The Home Front
This legislation reflects a growing federal focus on regulating the secondary market for consumer information generated by connected household devices. It represents a significant push toward establishing national privacy rights that mirror protections seen in other technology sectors.
In the near term, check your vehicle owner manual or the manufacturer's mobile app to see what data-sharing permissions you have already enabled. Keep an eye on legislative updates if you want to advocate for stricter privacy rules regarding your vehicle's connected features.
The takeaway
The proposed legislation signals that the era of unfettered automotive data collection may be coming to a close. For now, drivers should take a moment to review their current privacy settings in their vehicle's infotainment system to opt out of any optional data sharing.
Further reading
Learn more about managing your household assets in our Buying/Selling section.
More information
You can view the Full text of the Car Privacy Rights Act for additional details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gorgenewscenter.
Live Poll
Should companies be required to get your consent before collecting and selling your car's data?
