Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Dec 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act would restrict how manufacturers of "covered vehicles" — motor vehicles and vehicles used primarily for farming or construction — handle data generated by or transferred into those vehicles. Manufacturers would generally be barred from accessing, selling, leasing, or sharing this data without the owner's (or next of kin's) written, informed, and freely given consent, with exceptions for warrants, certain court orders, emergency response, or data use solely to improve vehicle performance or safety. The bill also flatly prohibits sharing Americans' personally identifiable information with the governments of North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, or Venezuela. Separately, manufacturers would have to give vehicle owners free, real-time access to and control over their vehicle data, including through an open interface allowing data deletion and preference settings, and this requirement would override conflicting state laws.
The bill primarily affects vehicle manufacturers, who would face new compliance obligations, and vehicle owners, who would gain rights over their data. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law as an unfair-or-deceptive-practice violation and would also have to produce a report to Congress on vehicle data practices, risks, and foreign data-sharing within 180 days of enactment. No new funding is authorized for implementation.
The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee on December 16, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature before taking effect, which would occur three months after enactment.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
16 Dec 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 3494 do?
- The Auto Data Privacy and Autonomy Act would restrict how manufacturers of "covered vehicles" — motor vehicles and vehicles used primarily for farming or construction — handle data generated by or transferred into those vehicles. Manufacturers would generally be barred from accessing, selling, leasing, or sharing this data without the owner's (or next of kin's) written, informed, and freely given consent, with exceptions for warrants, certain court orders, emergency response, or data use solely to improve vehicle performance or safety. The bill also flatly prohibits sharing Americans' personally identifiable information with the governments of North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, or Venezuela. Separately, manufacturers would have to give vehicle owners free, real-time access to and control over their vehicle data, including through an open interface allowing data deletion and preference settings, and this requirement would override conflicting state laws. The bill primarily affects vehicle manufacturers, who would face new compliance obligations, and vehicle owners, who would gain rights over their data. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law as an unfair-or-deceptive-practice violation and would also have to produce a report to Congress on vehicle data practices, risks, and foreign data-sharing within 180 days of enactment. No new funding is authorized for implementation. The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee on December 16, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature before taking effect, which would occur three months after enactment.
- Has S. 3494 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3494. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3494?
- S. 3494 was sponsored by Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3494?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (16 Dec 2025).
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