Auto Care Association Applauds Validation of Massachusetts Data Access Law
BETHESDA, Md. – August 23, 2023 – The Auto Care Association appreciates the continued support of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General to support the 2020 Data Access Law and the willingness of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to revisit its position on the enforceability of the law. The Auto Care Association is gratified by NHTSA’s acknowledgement that the Data Access Law is not preempted by the Federal Vehicle Safety Act and by its latest statement that NHTSA strongly supports the right to repair.
The Auto Care Association further supports Attorney General Campbell’s stalwart efforts to ensure that vehicle manufacturers implement the Data Access Law safely and promptly. We look forward to the auto manufacturers’ compliance with the law.
As stated by the attorney general’s office, the evidence presented at the trial in Alliance for Automotive Innovation v. Campbell, No. 20-cv-12090 (D. Mass.), demonstrated that there are multiple approaches by which a vehicle manufacturer might implement the Data Access Law without violating the Federal Vehicle Safety Act or any other federal law. Under the Data Access Law, the types of wireless communication technologies that such a platform might utilize include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Auto Care Association does not support a Bluetooth solution; short range wireless communication does not create the level playing field expected by the voters of Massachusetts.
The Auto Care Association looks forward to the opportunity to continue the discussion on a viable solution to implement the law that protects both drivers and their security.
Visit autocare.org/government-relations to learn more about the Auto Care Association’s legislative efforts.
All industry professionals are encouraged to support the effort to pass federal Right to Repair legislation by attending the in-person Auto Care Legislative Summit taking place Sept. 20-22, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Learn more at autocare.org/leadershipdays.