Tech Devices in California’s New Cars Create Thorny Political Issues
The revised law drops a hard deadline and ties compliance to model years and technical feasibility, after automakers warned the mandate was impractical.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill one day before the deadline, narrowing the car tracking disablement mandate by replacing a hard deadline with timelines tied to model years and technological feasibility.
- Senate Bill 719 emerged from backroom negotiations late last month, resolving a political standoff over the mandate requiring drivers to immediately disable connected vehicle location access.
- Automakers argued that installing such devices was an impossible engineering problem, noting that vehicles must maintain tools like GPS and General Motors' OnStar system while industry lobbyists warned they might suspend sales in California.
- Two years ago, the Legislature enacted a law to prevent tracking software abuse, and Senate Bill 1394 required an internet process to quickly terminate "connected vehicle service."
- Thus, it remains impossible to determine when cars will be equipped with the ability to disconnect location tracking software, as the California Air Resources Board previously required automakers to record and store operational data.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Redheaded Blackbelt
Tech devices in California’s new cars create thorny political issues
Tech devices in California’s new cars create thorny political issues By Dan Walters, CalMatters This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Automobiles have gradually evolved over the last two decades from mechanical devices into electronic platforms featuring computer screens and numerous other digital capabilities. A few years ago, the California Air Resources Board began requiring Source
From today, July 7, 2026, the DGT (General Traffic Directorate) obligates that all new cars registered in Spain include the pre-installation of an alcohol anti-start system, known as alcolock. This anti-start alcohol meter prevents the engine from starting if the driver exceeds the permitted alcohol rate. This is established by Order PJC/528/2026, published in the Official Gazette of the State (BOE) on May 29, where the Spanish regulations are u…
From 7 July all new cars sold in Spain must incorporate the necessary pre-installation to be able to mount an Alclock if ordered by the competent authority.
Its entry into force will be on 7 July 2026 and will allow to install a system that prevents the start of the car if the alcohol rate is exceeded.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
