Black Box Privacy Protection Act

To require automobile manufacturers to disclose to consumers the presence of event data recorders, or black boxes 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Black Box Privacy Protection Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Consumers have the right to know that event data recorders are installed in their vehicles, that they are capable of collecting data recorded in automobile accidents, and how such data may be used. (2) From the standpoint of consumer privacy rights, most consumers are not aware that their vehicles are recording data that not only may be used to aid traffic safety analyses, but has the potential of being used against them in a civil or criminal proceeding, or by their insurer to increase rates. 3. Disclosure of event data recorders on Automobiles and motorcycles (a) Labeling disclosure for automobiles Section 3 of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1232 (1) in subsection (g)(4)(B) by striking ; and (2) in subsection (h), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (i) (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder; (2) the type of information recorded by the event data recorder and how such information is recorded; and (3) that the information recorded by the event data recorder also may be used in a law enforcement proceeding. . (b) Labeling disclosure for motorcycles The Automobile Information Disclosure Act is further amended by adding after section 3 the following new section: 3A. Disclosure of event data recorders on motorcycles Every manufacturer of new motorcycles distributed in commerce shall, prior to the delivery of any new motorcycle to any dealer, or at or prior to the introduction date of new models delivered to a dealer prior to such introduction date, securely affix to the new motorcycle a label on which such manufacturer shall disclose— (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder; (2) the type of information recorded by the event data recorder and how such information is recorded; and (3) that the information recorded by the event data recorder also may be used in a law enforcement proceeding. . (c) Definitions Section 2 of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1231 (i) The term event data recorder (j) The term motorcycle (k) The term new motorcycle . (d) Rulemaking Within 180 days following the enactment of this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall prescribe regulations setting forth a uniform method by which a manufacturer shall provide the disclosures required by the amendments made by this section. 4. Requirement for event data recorders on New Automobiles (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 301 30129. Event data recorders No person may manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, or import into the United States, an automobile manufactured after 2015 (and bearing a model year of 2016 or later) that is equipped with an event data recorder, unless such event data recorder includes a function whereby the consumer can control the recording of information by the event data recorder. . (b) Enforcement Section 30165(a)(1) of chapter 301 30129, 30127, (c) Table of contents amendment The table of contents for chapter 301 30129. Event data recorders. . 5. Ownership and unlawful retrieval of event data recorder data (a) Ownership Rights; Conduct Prohibited Any event data recorder in an automobile or motorcycle and any data recorded on any event data recorder in an automobile or motorcycle shall be considered the property of the owner of the automobile or motorcycle. It shall be unlawful for any person other than the owner of the automobile or motorcycle to download or otherwise retrieve data that is recorded on any event data recorder except under one of the following circumstances: (1) The owner of the automobile or motorcycle or the owner’s agent or legal representative consents to the retrieval of the information. (2) In response to an order of a court having jurisdiction to issue the order. (3) The data is retrieved by a dealer, or by an automotive technician for the purpose of diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the automobile or motorcycle. (b) Treatment of Violations as Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices A violation of subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B) (c) Enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission The Federal Trade Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 6. Definitions As used in this Act: (1) The term consumer ultimate purchaser 15 U.S.C. 1231 (2) The term dealer (3) The term event data recorder (4) The terms manufacturer new automobile new motorcycle 15 U.S.C. 1231 7. Effective Date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Black Box Privacy Protection Act This bill amends the Automobile Information Disclosure Act to require manufacturers of new automobiles to disclose on the information label affixed to the window of the automobile: (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder (commonly referred to as a "black box"), (2) the type of information recorded and how such information is recorded, and (3) that the recording may be used in a law enforcement proceeding. The bill sets forth similar requirements for motorcycle manufacturers. An "event data recorder" is any device or means of technology installed in an automobile that records information such as automobile or motorcycle speed, seatbelt use, application of brakes, or other information pertinent to the operation of the automobile or motorcycle. The bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, offering for sale, or import into the United States of an automobile manufactured after 2015 (bearing a model year of 2016 or later) that is equipped with an event data recorder, unless the consumer can control the recording of information. Violators are liable to the U.S. government for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation with a maximum penalty of $35 million for a related series of violations. The event data recorder in an automobile or motorcycle, and any data recorded, shall be considered the property of the owner of the automobile or motorcycle. Retrieval or downloading of recorded data by any other person is unlawful, except: (1) with the owner's consent, (2) in response to a court order, or (3) by a dealer or automotive technician to service the vehicle. Certain violations are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.