VDA warns against German gov’t plans to collect drivers’ data

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has expressed concern that a planned intelligence reform will give the government disproportionate access to drivers’ data.

VDA concerned about scope of BND reform

Germany’s CDU/CSU-SPD coalition recently approved a draft law to expand the powers of its intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND). “We are turning our intelligence services into genuine secret services,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) told Bild.

The new law, which the government hopes will be adopted by January 1, 2027, would loosen the rules around data protection. Both the BND and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) would have greater powers to collect data, store it for longer, and analyse it using AI.

If adopted in its current form, “motor vehicle manufacturers or motor vehicle workshops” would be obliged to provide the BfV with “telemetry data” upon request. Now, the VDA has expressed concerns that the current draft reform is too vague and would give the government disproportionate access to drivers’ data. 

The Central Association of the German Automotive Trade (ZDK) has also warned that the reform would burden medium-sized car dealerships and workshops, who do not necessarily have the employees or resources to process BND requests in a legally compliant manner.

“Germany must be able to react to the changed security situation. Capable intelligence services are an important component of this,” ZDK President Thomas Peckruhn explained. “At the same time, the necessary strengthening of state security structures must not lead to car dealerships and automotive workshops becoming the prolonged arm of the intelligence services.”

What kind of data do cars collect about drivers?

While there is increasing awareness about the scope and scale of user data that mobile phone companies and social media platforms collect, analyse and sell, there is less public discussion about data collected by car manufacturers.

But vehicle privacy policies often clearly state that drivers should expect manufacturers to collect information about their precise location, seatbelt habits, what they are listening to on the radio, car passengers, driving speed, braking technique, weight, age, race and facial expressions, among other things.

Speaking to the BBC, senior fellow in the Centre for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, Darrell West said, “It basically means your life can be recreated almost on a second-by-second basis."

Until now, these data banks have largely interested data brokers and insurance companies. Now, the BND and BfV are interested as well.