The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on how to better protect victims of domestic violence from chasing and abuse perpetrated by internet-connected technologies in cars.
The people comment windows is still available through May 23 and reactions are starting to show up.
” We need to work with law enforcement agencies, veteran advocacy organizations, and tech companies to produce protocols and guidelines for responding to incidents of domestic misuse involving connected vehicles”, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D- Michigan, said in a post shared Monday.
The Safe Connections Act of 2022, policy intended to stop abusers from using shared mobile plans to monitor their victims, is now the FCC’s call for suggestions and info. It follows its work over the past two years to apply it. Following new reports that show how abusers can remain their harassment using remote access features like GPS tracking, climate control, and also honking the car horn, the organization wants to go further.
No victim of domestic violence or abuse really have to choose between giving up their vehicle and allowing those who can get its connectivity and data to stalk and harm themselves, according to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
” We can and should do more to make sure these new forms of communication help maintain individuals safe,” she continued.
On April 8, the FCC formally published a notice of proposed rulemaking. The notice serves as a prelude to new laws, or perhaps even new legislation, that may define the types of safeguards that automakers and software providers must follow.
Individuals and organizations can , submit comments , on the FCC on its website at https ://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/22-238.
In a letter to nine well-known manufacturers in January, Rosenworcel asked for information on the state of related automobile technology and how it would assist those who have been victims of domestic abuse.
She cited a , New York Times article from December as the inspiration for sending the letter, which was a girl stalked by her ex-husband using Mercedes-Benz connected car technology.  , Reuters , published a similar tale earlier that month about abuse done using Tesla’s mobile app.
Manufacturers, software companies and business groups have since submitted , remarks and suggestions , to the FCC.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade association that represents every big automaker in the United States, except Tesla Inc., suggested that Congress pass new policy to replace the Safe Connections Act.
Within five business days of receiving a true request, the alliance ‘s proposal would need service providers to terminate or delete related vehicle accounts linked to domestic abusers.
A provider would need to contact the requester and give details on alternative options, such as creating a new account entirely, if they are unable to terminate or disable the account due to a technical limitation.
The Detroit Three manufacturers, in response to Rosenworcel’s email, each detailed their existing choices for turning off attached car services.
Ford Motor Co. has the simplest, most direct solution of the three.
In response to the FCC, the business, which responded to the FCC, stated that it offers in-car touch options that let customers turn off some or all of the linked vehicle systems. That gives users the option to disconnect their vehicles from Ford’s mobile applications Lincoln Way and FordPass.
Stellantis NV, by comparison,  , wrote , that customers may request the removal of related services, including place services, for related vehicles. The company continued that it evaluates cases where the person requesting deactivation is not the vehicle’s owner or a party to its connected services agreement on a case-by-case basis.
General Motors Co. said it has a similar system through OnStar, its subsidiary focused on in- vehicle communications, remote services, emergency services and more.
” A customer can contact onStar Safety &, Security through the vehicle OnStar button prominently available in their vehicle, or by calling 1- 88- 4OnStar, to request that an OnStar account be restricted, preventing access to vehicle location and the ability to issue remote commands to the vehicle”, the , company said.
If the requester is not the owner of the primary account, they will need to back up the request with evidence of ownership, such as a restraining or divorce decree.
The company added that using the in-car infotainment dashboard’s settings menu, users can delete personal information from the infotainment and telematics system.
Mercedes- Benz, which was at the center of the New York Times ‘ December report,  , told the FCC , that it does not automatically accept all requests to disable an account holder’s access to the company’s” Mercedes me connect” system.
The company stated that” we are unable to confirm the veracity of a request if the party is not the vehicle owner or lessee.” Thus, a non-owner or leasing party would need a court order to request the deactivation of a service.
Domestic violence survivors could be at risk of receiving additional abuse in situations where such orders are unavailable.
“( A ) ny remedy must acknowledge that the reporting and notification process will present a heightened risk of abuse, and consider proactive methods to curb retaliation from an abuser”, Dingell , wrote.
” Solutions must also take into account the ability of survivors to quickly revoke or disable an abuser’s access to their activity on connected vehicle technology, the ability to remove sensitive data that has already been stored in an app, and the ability to ensure that the abuser cannot use other means of access, such as a service request,” said the article.
Legislators are increasing scrutiny of technology in vehicles, both in Congress and elsewhere.
According to a report released on Tuesday by CalMatters, state lawmakers in California have proposed three pieces of legislation to protect victims of domestic violence from harassment brought on by connected vehicles.
U. S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D- Oregon, and Ed Markey, D- Massachusetts, sent a , joint letter , Tuesday to the Federal Trade Commission alleging inconsistent and lax data retention policies by major automakers.
The Biden administration, meanwhile, has an , ongoing investigation , into the potential dangers of connected vehicles from Chinese companies.
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