Connected Car
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday issued a letter clarifying its stance about car repair data transmitted over the internet. The letter, addressed to the attorney general’s office in Massachusetts, walks back a June letter which advised automakers that they should not comply with a Massachusetts car data law over safety concerns. Massachusetts’ law, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2020, mandates that automakers provide access to vehicle maintenance and repair data (often called “telematic data”) transmitted over the internet. The latest letter also shares new concerns about how manufacturers handle security and remote access, especially regarding remote reprogramming. NHTSA’ latest letter could be the start of that conversation.