California residents may find it difficult to get new wheels next month if state lawmakers can’t advance a bill to delay the implementation of a series of digital privacy measures. If the state fails to extend its July 1 deadline, every “connected” car in California will become the jewel of a very expensive lot.
This was probably not what the state legislative body had in mind in 2024. passed a law Which (among many other consumer electronics privacy provisions) required automakers to implement new barriers to potential electronics stalkers. State law now requires manufacturers of any connected device to allow owners to end shared access to location-tracking services if presented with evidence of a restraining order.
Well, according to automotive newsAutomakers are collectively warning California They will not implement their new security measures in a timely manner to meet the July 1 deadline—and likely won’t be able to fully comply with the new law before the end of 2026.
As it is, dealers will have to stop selling any connected car (new or used) next Wednesday whose manufacturer has not yet complied with the law. California’s state legislature is preparing a bill (SB 719) postpone the first New measures to last for one year, and full implementation by 2031; which would align it with California New remote kill switch requirement.
This would represent a three-year delay to full compliance; Currently, all elements are required to be in place by January 1, 2028.
With the intrusiveness (and exploitability) of modern connected systems, it’s hard to blame California for not enforcing consumer protections, but it seems the automakers couldn’t get things done in time. So, how about this? Can California’s State Senate get it done quickly enough to make it a Nothingburger? Sports fans, there is less than a week left.
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