Mobility-related technologies are evolving rapidly, transforming the safety and convenience of transportation. Many of these new features are enabled by the collection of new types of data, putting the topic of privacy in connected cars and other modes of transportation on the agenda of industry, policymakers, and regulators. Advancing sensible practices will be essential to ensure that the collection and use of this data is responsible, thoughtful, and communicated effectively to consumers.
A Privacy Playbook for Connected Car Data
Drivers and passengers expect cars to be safe, comfortable, and trustworthy. Individuals often consider the details of their travels—and the vehicles that take them between their home, the office, a hospital, their place of worship, or their child’s school—to be sensitive, personal data. The newest cars contain numerous sensors, from cameras and GPS to accelerometers […]
Lauren Smith Appears on CBS This Morning to Talk Connected Cars
FPF Policy Counsel Lauren Smith runs our Connected Car Project. Today, she appeared on CBS This Morning to talk connected cars.
September 24th in Detroit, MI: Data and Privacy for Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are positioned to transform the future of mobility—a change enabled by new on-board sensors that collect and transmit growing types and quantities of data. While the existence of data in vehicles is not entirely new, autonomous vehicles promise an explosion in the variety, connectivity, volume of such data—raising new and unique considerations around what happens with it. As the automotive industry becomes more data-driven, getting consumer privacy right will become increasingly important.
Data Privacy: It's Time to Treat Your Car Like a Smartphone
Lauren Smith, a FPF Policy Counsel, was recently featured in 2025 AD. Lauren leads the FPF Connected Cars Working Group, and serves a global expert and thought leader through speaking engagements, media interviews, and interaction with state and federal regulators and strategic partners. In this exclusive interview, she discusses best practices to advance privacy practices and understanding as new mobility technologies come to market.
FPF Comments on CA Public Utilities Commission Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service Proceeding
Last week, the Future of Privacy Forum filed written comments in response to the California Public Utilities Commission’s proposed decision authorizing pilot programs for passenger service in Autonomous Vehicles. The CPUC is a consumer protection agency that oversees, among other topics, provision of passenger service in the state. The proposed decision called for a number of criteria to be met by companies seeking to operate AV passenger service, including reporting of communications between passengers and remote operators of driverless AVs, as well as aggregated operations data.
Privacy and the Connected Vehicle: Navigating the Road Ahead (January 23, 2018 in Washington, DC)
Join Hogan Lovells and FPF for an event focused on data issues related to connected cars and the future of mobility on January 23, 2018, from 9:45 AM – 2:00 PM. This half-day event will highlight industry privacy practices, regulatory developments, and emerging uses of mobility data.
NAI Combines Web, Mobile, and Cross-Device Tracking Rules for 2018
The Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) released its 2018 Code of Conduct yesterday, consolidating the rules for online and mobile behavioral advertising (interest-based advertising). NAI, a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, is the leading self-regulatory association for digital advertising, with over 100 members and a formalized internal review mechanism.
TEDx Wilmington: What's Driving the Connected Car? Data, It Turns Out.
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Lauren Smith, FPF Policy Counsel, presented at the TEDx Wilmington Salon, Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? The Transformation of Transportation. The TEDx included an exciting line up of the leading voices in the connected car space, including FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen.
First Take: Privacy in Updated Federal Guidance for Automated Driving
Yesterday, the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued updated guidance for autonomous vehicles; streamlining last year’s guidance, incorporating public comments, and stripping privacy from its recommendations.
FPF Statement on GAO Release of Vehicle Data Privacy Report
A new report released today by the United States Government Accountability Office reviews consumer privacy issues related to connected vehicles. The report examines the use, types, and sharing of vehicle data; surveys automakers to understand how their privacy policies align with privacy best practices; consults experts in the field to understand the issues at play in this space; and examines related Federal efforts.