Federal agency wants help protecting domestic violence victims from high-tech cars

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission wants feedback on how it can better protect domestic violence survivors from stalking and abuse carried out through internet-connected technology in cars.

The public comment window is open through May 23, and responses are starting to come in.

“We need to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, survivor advocacy organizations, and technology companies to develop protocols and guidelines for responding to incidents of domestic abuse involving connected vehicles,” Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, said in a comment shared Monday.

The FCC’s call for suggestions and information comes after it worked over the past two years to implement the Safe Connections Act of 2022, legislation meant to stop abusers from using shared phone plans to track their victims. The agency wants to go further following recent reports describing how abusers can use remote access features — like GPS tracking, climate controls and even honking the car horn — to continue their harassment.

“No survivor of domestic violence and abuse should have to choose between giving up their car and allowing themselves to be stalked and harmed by those who can access its connectivity and data,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

“We can — and should — do more to make sure these new forms of communications help keep survivors safe,” she added.

The FCC officially filed a notice of proposed rulemaking on April 8. The notice is a precursor to new regulations — or perhaps new legislation in Congress — that would lay out what kind of safeguards automakers and software providers need to adopt.

Individuals and organizations can submit comments on the FCC on its website at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/22-238.

In January, Rosenworcel wrote a letter to nine large automakers asking for details about existing connected car technology and plans to support people who have been people harassed by domestic abusers.

She cited a New York Times report from December about a woman stalked by her ex-husband using Mercedes-Benz connected vehicle technology as the motivation for sending the letter. Reuters published a similar story earlier that month about harassment done using Tesla’s mobile app.

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