Min’s SB 1394 Requires Car Manufacturers to Sever Remote Vehicle Access When It Enables Domestic Violence
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Senator Dave Min announced the introduction of Senate Bill (SB) 1394, which establishes a process for the rapid termination of a domestic abuser’s access to app-connected, remote, and GPS-based vehicle technology. Cases of domestic violence have been linked to incidents where abusers exploit location tracking to stalk, harass, surveil, and intimidate survivors. SB 1394 requires car manufacturers to disable an abuser’s access to remote vehicle technology within two business days of a survivor’s request provided sufficient documentation, such as proof of legal possession of the vehicle or a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) that awards possession of the vehicle in question.
No longer will manufacturers, including Tesla and Mercedes, who have previously been unwilling or unable to disable GPS access when perpetrators of domestic violence have exploited their access, have the ability to reject a survivor’s request to maintain autonomy over their vehicle and sever digital access with their abuser.
“We’ve known for some time that GPS-tracking technology in cars is being exploited by domestic violence abusers, but unfortunately, car manufacturers are refusing to act to address this potentially fatal problem,” said Senator Min (D-Irvine). “SB 1394 creates a process for survivors of domestic abuse to rapidly terminate remote access and control. This bill will save lives by protecting the privacy of DV survivors.”
“A car should symbolize independence, not a tool for control and fear, and no victim of domestic violence should be forced to choose between their safety and their mobility,” said Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB, a digital safety training and education organization. “A choice between being tracked or being trapped is no choice at all.”
“Safe access to a vehicle can be a lifeline for an abuse survivor, but abusive partners are increasingly using remote vehicle technology to surveil, stalk, harass, and intimidate survivors,” states Professor Jane Stoever, Director of the UCI Law Domestic Violence Clinic, which is co-sponsoring SB 1394 on behalf of clients. “Car manufacturers have refused to sever an abusive partner’s digital or remote access to a vehicle, even contrary to court orders instructing car manufacturers to do so, which is why the protections and remedies in SB 1394 are needed.”
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