Massachusetts Data Access Hearing Draws Strong Support - Tire Review Magazine

Massachusetts Data Access Hearing Draws Strong Support

The Massachusetts legislature now has until May 15 to determine whether to pass a bill that would ensure customers have access to repair data generated by their vehicle.

The Massachusetts Legislature held the first hearing Jan. 13 on legislation that would ensure consumers would have access to the repair data generated by their vehicle.

Held in the Massachusetts Statehouse, the hearing was packed with repair shop owners and technicians, as well as representatives from the major parts retailers and tool suppliers — providing a major show of support for the new legislation and the auto care industry in the state, according to the Auto Care Association.

The three-and-a-half hour-long hearing featured testimony from multiple shop owners who discussed the need for the current Right to Repair law to be amended to ensure that car owners have access to wireless repair and diagnostic data generated by most late-model vehicles. Opponents of the legislation, mainly trade groups representing car and truck manufacturers, countered that the law was not necessary, and it would expose an extensive amount of a driver’s personal information. Manufacturers further alleged that making data available would make critical vehicle safety systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

However, legal experts explained to legislators that the bill was specifically worded to only require access to repair and diagnostic data, ensuring that personal information would be protected. Further, cyber experts and law enforcement representatives including former Boston police commissioner Ed Davis told committee members that car owners should have the ability to control data generated by their vehicles and that such action could be taken cyber securely. Technology experts additionally pointed out that there were international standards that could be utilized in order to protect vehicle data and that manufacturers already had the ability to separate out personal data from mechanical data in order to ensure protection for car owner privacy.

In its news release announcing the details of the hearing, the Auto Care Association stated, “The hearing clearly was a great day for car owners and the independent auto care industry both in the demonstration of support for the bill, but also in combatting vehicle manufacturers’ attempts to scare the legislature regarding cybersecurity and privacy. The Auto Care Association would like to thank all of its members who took time out of their busy schedule to come to Boston for this important event.”

The legislature now has until May 15 to determine whether to pass the bill and therefore negate the need for a ballot measure that has been filed by the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee that would mandate access to vehicle diagnostic and repair data.

A full recording of the hearing can be viewed here.

This story ran on aftermarketnews.com.

You May Also Like

Yokohama Rubber reveals 2024 motorsports activity plan

Yokohama said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands.

Yokohama-Nitrocross

Yokohama Rubber revealed its motorsports activity plan for 2024. The company said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands and is again participating in a wide variety of motorsports events around the globe, from top-category to grassroots events.

Yokohama Rubber will again supply its Advan tires to many teams participating in motorsports events, such as Japan’s Super GT, the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Yokohama Rubber’s GeoLandar tires will be supplied to teams participating in off-road races in North America and Asia, including the Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, the Mint 400 and the Asia Cross Country Rally.

TIA’s Advanced Farm Tire Service training to take place in June

The training class for technicians in the agricultural and farm tire industries is set to take place June 11-14.

TIA_training-
Maxxis-sponsored athletes make podium, overall top 10 at Mint 400

Maxxis athletes Michael McFayden, Ethan Ebert and Trey Gibbs had podium finishes at the Mint 400 on Maxxis RAZR XT tires.

2024-mint400-maxxis
Sun Auto Tire reveals winner of Ford Bronco Sport giveaway

Lowell Anderson entered the giveaway at his local Sun Auto Tire & Service store while receiving a routine oil change.

Sun-Auto-Bronco-giveaway
Nokian Tyres holds bracket challenge on worst roads in North America

In 2023, the tiremaker’s audience voted Quebec as the province or state with the worst road conditions on the continent.

Pothole-Protection-from-Nokian-Tyres

Other Posts

Gallery: 2024 Big O Tires conference and convention

Highlights from this year’s Big O Tires conference and convention, featuring a general session, trade show and breakout sessions.

Gary-Skidmore
Bridgestone’s Firestone Liberia rubber farm receives ISCC Plus recognition

According to Bridgestone, its Liberia facility earned the ISCC Plus certification for its efforts in reducing environmental impacts.

Firestone_Liberia
Ascenso Tires adds new OEM sales manager

Douglas Duesing has more than ten years of experience working in agriculture, construction and mining OEMs.

Ascenso-Douglas-Duesing-1400
Nexen Tire Motorsports drivers earn top placements at King of the Hammers

Nexen Tire Motorsports partnered with drivers across a variety of racing series both on- and off-road, including King of the Hammers.

Nexen-KOH