Automakers could inadvertently be forced to halt new- and used-vehicle sales in California on July 1 unless lawmakers make adjustments to a state law.
The details: The issue stems from provisions in a 2024 law designed to protect victims of domestic abuse, according to Road & Track.
The law requires automakers to provide a simple process allowing customers to submit a restraining order or other valid documentation to revoke another driver's remote access to a vehicle within two business days.
Automakers must also make it easier for customers to disable vehicle location services, a requirement they argue is difficult to meet by the July 1 deadline because of the time needed to develop and validate the necessary technology changes.
A bill that would give automakers additional time to write, test and validate the required in-vehicle technology is expected to be considered by California lawmakers.
Why it matters: The situation highlights how rapidly evolving privacy regulations can create unexpected compliance challenges for automakers, with any disruption to vehicle sales in California potentially affecting inventory availability, delivery timelines, and sales operations in the market.
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Between the lines: Concerns about disabling location services also underscore broader privacy and cybersecurity issues as connected-vehicle adoption continues to grow.
Researchers Sam Curry and Shubham Shah discovered vulnerabilities in Subaru's location-tracking system that allowed them to remotely access certain vehicle functions, including starting the vehicle and sounding the horn.
They also found Subaru had retained roughly a year of location data, tracking vehicle locations when the ignition was started and throughout trips.
Subaru quickly addressed the vulnerability after being notified, stating the location data supports emergency-response efforts and that employees with access to the information are trained and bound by nondisclosure agreements.
Bottom line: The dispute illustrates the growing tension between connected-vehicle convenience, privacy protections, and regulatory compliance, which could shape how connected-vehicle technologies are designed, marketed, and supported in the future.
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