California enacts a law to protect domestic abuse survivors from vehicle technology misuse

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a groundbreaking bill aimed at enhancing protections for domestic abuse survivors in internet-connected vehicles. As car manufacturers increasingly incorporate advanced technology, incidents of stalking and harassment through features like location tracking have surfaced. The bill passed with strong support in the California legislature and is part of a broader effort to safeguard victims of domestic violence.

One key provision of the new law mandates that automakers create a process for drivers to submit restraining orders and request the termination of another driver’s remote access within two business days. The legislation also requires manufacturers to enable drivers to easily disable location access from within the vehicle. This could establish a precedent for similar regulations across the country, as automakers generally produce uniform models for all markets.

The legislation follows reports indicating that some car manufacturers have failed to address complaints from women who experienced stalking through their vehicles’ technology. A notable case involved a woman suing Tesla for inaction despite having a restraining order. Although no automaker opposed the bill, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported victim protection but raised concerns about the law’s technical implementation. The alliance intends to seek solutions to these challenges in the future.