Shruti Gautam
TLDR:
- The FCC is considering regulations to prevent domestic abusers from tracking victims through connected vehicles
- Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has initiated the process of drafting new regulations
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is exploring the possibility of implementing new rules to prevent domestic abusers from tracking their victims through connected vehicles. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has requested the agency’s commissioners to start drafting regulations to address this issue. The move comes as nearly all new vehicles use telecommunications for various features, which can be exploited by abusers to monitor the whereabouts of their victims.
Last year, Congress passed the “Safe Connections Act,” giving the FCC the authority to assist individuals affected by domestic abuse. Early regulations required cell service providers to separate phone lines linked to family plans in cases of abuse. The FCC will now investigate if similar measures can be applied to automakers to prevent tracking through connected car services.
Rosenworcel’s initiative was prompted by a letter she sent to nine major U.S. automakers, requesting information on their connected car systems and plans to support victims of abuse. While some automakers like Toyota and Ford have policies in place to disconnect vehicles from tracking apps at the request of abused partners, others have not been as proactive.
