A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act. It stops vehicle makers from accessing, selling, or sharing a vehicle owner's data without written consent. Manufacturers must give vehicle owners free, real-time access to and control over their vehicle data. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive trade practices. The bill also bans sharing the personally identifiable information of U.S. citizens and residents with specific foreign countries like China and Russia. Finally, it requires a comprehensive report on vehicle data practices within 180 days of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill heavily safeguards vehicle owners by requiring written consent for data access and ensuring free real-time access to generated data.
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The core focus of the act is safeguarding personal privacy by granting individuals total control and ownership over vehicle-generated and user data.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill provides strong consumer protections by restricting manufacturers from accessing, selling, or sharing vehicle data without explicit consent.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The legislation explicitly supersedes state statutes and regulations concerning vehicle owner data access.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Vehicle manufacturers and related corporate entities face strict new limitations and compliance burdens regarding data monetization.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Control Over Personal Data: Section 3(a)(1) prevents manufacturers from accessing a vehicle's data without the owner's written consent, unless it is strictly to improve vehicle performance or safety. This gives people real control over their private information.
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Free Real-Time Access: Section 4(a) requires vehicle makers to give owners access to and control of all vehicle data in real time and at no extra cost beyond the vehicle purchase price. This stops companies from charging extra fees just for people to see their own information.
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Protection from Foreign Access: Section 3(a)(3) bans companies from selling, licensing, or releasing the personally identifiable information of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to countries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. This protects everyday Americans from having their data handed over to adversarial foreign governments.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Confidential Business Information Limits: Section 6 states that the bill does not require manufacturers to divulge confidential business information, except as provided in section 4. This could potentially limit how much transparency vehicle owners receive regarding proprietary software or systems.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes vehicles primarily used for farming within its protective scope, safeguarding farmers' equipment data. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class vehicle owners benefit from enhanced privacy rights and free access to their vehicle's diagnostic and user data. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By requiring free, real-time data access without extra fees or licenses, the bill ensures low-income vehicle owners are not priced out of their own data. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents relying on motor vehicles and farm equipment benefit from strong data protections and ownership rights. Would business owners be better off under this? — Vehicle manufacturers and related corporate entities face strict new limitations and compliance burdens regarding data monetization.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill heavily safeguards vehicle owners by requiring written consent for data access and ensuring free real-time access to generated data. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The legislation places strict compliance requirements and privacy standards on vehicle manufacturers regarding data collection.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The core focus of the act is safeguarding personal privacy by granting individuals total control and ownership over vehicle-generated and user data. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a comprehensive interagency report to Congress detailing data practices and cybersecurity risks within 180 days. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission with enforcement authority and explicitly preempts state laws regarding vehicle data access. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The legislation explicitly supersedes state statutes and regulations concerning vehicle owner data access.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill provides strong consumer protections by restricting manufacturers from accessing, selling, or sharing vehicle data without explicit consent.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances national security by explicitly banning the transfer of personally identifiable information of U.S. citizens to adversarial foreign countries.
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.