Mostly of direct interest to US folks, but conceptually of interest to all - I just got this e-mail from the American Motorcyclist Association - I am sure you can get more info on their website.
Seemed like it is relevant to pass on from both a data privacy and a control of the software in our vehicles standpoint.... Note that I don't have any more data than what is below, if you have any other questions try Google or the AMA website. ART ============ Quoted Message ============= Protect your privacy from event data recorders Urge your representative to support federal legislation! U.S. Reps. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) plan to introduce the Black Box Privacy Protection Act in the coming weeks. The bill would protect motorcyclists’ rights by requiring manufacturers to prominently disclose to consumers whether an event data recorder, commonly known as a black box, is installed in their motorcycles. The data collection capabilities of such a device and how such data may be used is of concern to the American Motorcyclist Association. The bill would clarify that the owner of the motorcycle owns the data and that the data may not be accessed without the permission of the owner. Furthermore, this bill would require that manufacturers provide consumers with the option of controlling the recording function in automobiles or motorcycles that are equipped with black boxes. In other words, the vehicle owners could turn the black box on or off. Currently, there is no federal law that clarifies the rights of vehicle owners to control their recorded data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will require black boxes in all cars when they are manufactured. The agency has yet to issue a final rule. The NHTSA already has disclosure requirements, but the Black Box Privacy Protection Act would make the disclosure more prominent and give consumers even greater choice and stronger privacy protections. The AMA protects motorcyclists’ freedom to ride, and we support this bipartisan bill. If you are worried that your insurer will use data from a black box to increase your rates or have the ability to record data that can be used against you in a civil or criminal proceeding, then you — the motorcyclist — should urge your representative to support the Black Box Privacy Protection Act. Just follow the "Take Action" option to send a pre-written email directly to your representative. Thousands of riders like you join the AMA to unite for a common goal – to protect our freedom to ride. As an AMA member, you will stand with hundreds of thousands of advocates nationwide fighting anti-motorcycling forces that threaten our right to ride and race. That’s why the AMA is where you belong. Visit www.AMAJoin.com or call (800) AMA-JOIN today. Please follow the AMA on Twitter @AMA_Rights and like us on Facebook. Please share with your friends on Facebook and Tweet to help spread the word. ------------------ Arthur Torrey - <[email protected]> -------------------
