Auto clubs back bill to give car owners control of their onboard data

California's two giant automobile clubs unveiled legislation that they said would give car owners control over a wide range data streaming from their vehicles.

The bill, SB 994, was immediately attacked by auto manufacturers as a bid to generate more insurance revenue for the Automobile Club of Southern California and its AAA counterpart in Northern California. Information covered by the legislation could include a car's mechanical performance and location as well as a driver's cellphone or entertainment system usage.

"Our cars are quickly becoming mobile computers," said bill author Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel). "While this technology provides several important benefits to consumers, it is imperative that there are basic safeguards in place to ensure consumers can decide who has access to their data."

The proposal, which should get its first committee hearing in mid-April, would ensure consumers know and understand what information is being collected and transmitted to the automaker, guarantee that car owners and their designates have access to all the data and give owners control over who can see the information to service the vehicle.