Securing Traffic Crash Data Isn’t a Violation of Privacy

Such data would seem to be very useful to the public. It could help car and road designers make both safer, and it could help to prosecute drivers whose negligence leads to a death or injury of another. And for those reasons, the "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed making the devices mandatory on all new cars, starting next year." But Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass wants to let drivers opt out of using them.

"I would argue that this is a device that the average person should be able to turn off if they so desire," he says.

I have to disagree, because while the EFF and Capuano have some valid concerns (about who can access the data, what it records and who owns it), those are addressed by current regulations.

[Electronic Frontier Foundation reports:] "In keeping with NHTSA's current policies on EDR data, the EDR data would be treated by NHTSA as the property of the vehicle owner and would not be used or accessed by the agency without owner consent. EDRs do not collect any personal identifying information or record conversations and do not run continuously."

So, drivers already have the right to "opt out," just after the crash - unless they're a suspect in a criminal investigation.

If one is worried that this is a privacy violation, consider that - with a warrant - we can make drivers submit to a blood test. You can't tell me that downloading data off their car's computer is more invasive.