PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 15, 2016) — A bill to regulate the generation, collection and sharing of connected auto vehicle data is now before the Rhode Island Senate.
Introduced Jan. 13, SB 2055 is designed to protect the rights of consumers concerning the telematics of the vehicles they own.
“Proven, low-cost technical options exist that enable consumer access to the data generated by their vehicle,” said Section I of the bill. “Future technical solutions for secure vehicle data storage and transmission will have the potential to further enhance consumer choice and access to vehicle data.”
SB 2055 requires vehicle manufacturers to make vehicle data available to owners free of charge in a non-proprietary, readable format, and also provide vehicle owners with the ability to transmit that data securely to recipients of their choice.
Auto makers must not restrict the ability of vehicle owners to access, use or transmit vehicle data, but they may charge them reasonable costs for accessing or transmitting information through embedded or mobile communications devices, the bill said.
SB 2055 has been referred to the state's Senate Judiciary Committee.