Privacy Policy For Cars

We all know that every year there are more gadgets and computers offered and installed in our cars.

These new computers programs will keep record of your speed, braking and if you were wearing a seatbelt or not.  All of this information being recorded could one day be used against you by the state, insurers and data hackers.

The Washington Post is reporting that the U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers are discussing a measure that would open automobile manufacturers up to fines of $5,000 a day if they don't submit a detailed privacy policy to the government.

Now that is interesting because I just read an article in The Daily Caller that many Americans think the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects their medical privacy, well it does but not from the government.  Federal bureaucrats issue thousands of subpoenas every year without prior judicial approval to get around the law and acquire access to your health data.

The policies should explain what information a manufacturer collects on drivers, inform you of the choices you have about the use of your data and pledge not to keep the driving data for any longer than is necessary for "legitimate business purposes."

According to The Washington Post article:

“Car manufacturers could be held liable if they violate any part of their own privacy policies or if they fail to file a privacy policy to begin with. But the maximum penalty automakers face would be limited to $1 million, and they would be shielded from Federal Trade Commission scrutiny for "unfair" or "deceptive" acts related to privacy as long as their privacy policies meet all the legislation's requirements.”

I do not have a problem with the privacy policies they are recommending to enforce on the automobile manufacturers but how about a privacy policy concerning our health information and our government ease of access to that date?

Sound fair to you?

Let’s discuss this today on my program, The Live with Renk show, which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon, to let me know your thoughts at (269) 441-9595.

Or please feel free to start a discussion and write your thoughts in the comment section.