EPIC, ACLU, EFF Urge NHTSA to Prioritize Privacy When Developing New Drunk Driving Prevention Systems

In comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, EPIC, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation raised serious concerns with plans to require new cars sold in the US come equipped with drunk and impaired driving prevention technology. While recognizing the potential to prevent deaths and serious injuries by preventing drunk driving, the civil liberties organizations urged NHTSA to select more privacy protective options for preventing drunk and drowsy driving. In particular, the comments emphasize three core principle for any impaired driving prevention system to be acceptable to the public: 1) Data storage must be minimized, 2) Data must not leave the car, and 3) The prevention system must be transparent.

NHTSA’s push to develop impaired driving prevention technology comes amidst growing concern over the safety and privacy risks of connected cars. In the last month the Department of Commerce announced an advanced rulemaking on the national security risks of connected cars, the FCC announced a similar rulemaking focused on risks of stalking and domestic violence, and Senator Markey called on the FTC to investigate car companies’ harmful data collection practices.