We’ve become accustomed to updates. Smartphones, tablets, personal computers — all of these have become essential to daily life for many people. And all of them operate on software that must be updated occasionally to work with the latest apps and to ward off security threats. We’re mostly unaware of other computerized devices, like personal and commercial vehicles, medical equipment, and equipment that controls the electric grid — but the software systems controlling these devices and systems also require updates. Therein lies the potential for serious problems. What if the next “update” contains something sinister, like a command to immediately shut down? Even worse, what if that update contained instructions to secretly record everything done on that device and forward all that information to an enemy of the U.S.? Preventing such an occurrence is one of the stated purposes of the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 (S.4429) that was passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation on July 22, 2026. Co-sponsored by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), the bill would enable the Department of Commerce to “identify and block high-risk vehicle technologies, components and transactions that threaten U.S. economic or national security.” The bill would also ban “foreign adversary vehicles,” prohibiting the sale of, for example, Chinese made vehicles in the U.S. The technology is already here. Your smartphone, computer, television, AI assistants and other devices collect all sorts of information, passing it on to businesses that are willing to pay for it. For example, ask Alexa about hats and you’ll soon be seeing advertisements for hats in your social media feed. Have a conversation about your lawnmower within in range of your television, and you might see more ads for lawn equipment. Mention pillows in an email to your mother and