Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) said on May 1 that modern vehicles are collecting extensive data about drivers, including their locations, driving habits, and workplaces, which may be shared or sold without the owner’s knowledge. In her latest op-ed, she outlined the DRIVER Act, legislation designed to give Americans ownership and real-time access to their vehicle data while limiting unauthorized sharing.
Harshbarger argued that as cars have become more technologically advanced, questions of who controls vehicle-generated data have become increasingly important for consumer choice, affordability, competition, and innovation. “According to recent estimates, modern cars generate 25 gigabytes of data per hour,” she said in her piece. She added that this information includes diagnostics and geolocation details but can also be misused if not properly regulated.
Harshbarger wrote about her background as a small business owner and her commitment to fair market competition: “I know what it’s like to operate in a playing field tilted against you while the heavyweights control and restrict critical information.” She highlighted cases where companies have sold vehicle data without owners’ consent or where leaks led to cyber attacks or stalking incidents. “Congress must establish a clear framework that provides vehicle owners with data privacy, access, and transparency,” Harshbarger said.
The DRIVER Act aims to ensure car buyers own their vehicle’s generated data just as they own physical components like oil dipsticks or tire gauges. The bill seeks to reinforce ownership rights over personal information produced by vehicles. “Car manufacturers shouldn’t know where you work and where you go — and they certainly shouldn’t be able to sell your sensitive personal data without asking you first,” Harshbarger said.
Harshbarger has represented Tennessee’s 1st district in Congress since replacing Phil Roe in 2021 according to Wikipedia. She was born in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1960 and continues to live there as reported by Ballotpedia. She graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Looking ahead, Harshbarger emphasized the importance of legislative action: “The decisions we make now in Congress will shape our automotive industry for decades.” She called on lawmakers to restore control of vehicle data to car owners while supporting innovation.
