Congress Made Your Car into Big Brother

Last month Congress voted to require a “kill switch” in every new car sold this year, even though the feds have not defined the rules yet. (Details?)

The law requires automakers to passively monitor your behavior and disable your vehicle if it thinks you are impaired.

It is unclear how you appeal its decision when your car stops on the deserted highway in the middle of nowhere at 3 AM in a place where there is no cell service.

Passive monitoring means always on surveillance. No breathalyzer or ignition interlock.

This could include always on inside the car cameras pointed at your face to track eye movement, facial expressions, head position, etc.

Infrared sensors that detect that your are flushed or your body temperature is off.

Breath sensors that detect air “quality” and alcohol molecules (not sure how it would know whether that came from an impaired passenger or impaired driver.

Blood alcohol sensors on steering wheels or start buttons (I assume this would outlaw wearing gloves in the winter).

And other technology.

And, I am sure that all of this data will be totally private. NOT!

Will it be extended to prescription medications, medical conditions like diabetes and other situations? Just like toll collection cameras won’t be used to catch speeders and track your movement (they are).

Will your insurance company be able to buy this data and use it to raise your rates or cancel your policy? Some automakers make more money selling your data than selling you a car.

And, I am sure, there will be ZERO false positives.

And, apparently, this is not a red vs blue conversation. 57 repubs voted with 211 dems to preserve this thing.

It is not here yet, so it can be killed but only if people act now.

See the link for suggested actions. Credit: My Privacy Blog

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