Senators blast automakers’ fight against right-to-repair
The bipartisan group of U.S. senators accused carmakers of hypocrisy over privacy and profits.
A bipartisan coalition of U.S. Senators released a scathing critique of automakers for opposing right-to-repair laws and monetizing driver data, Ars Technica reported. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent letters to major automakers, including Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, accusing them of prioritizing profits over consumer rights.
"We need to hit the brakes on automakers stealing your data and undermining your right-to-repair," said Senator Merkley in a statement to Ars. The letters call out the apparent contradiction in automakers's claims that opening up vehicle data to independent repair shops poses cybersecurity risks, even as they profit from selling that same data to third parties like insurance companies.
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Independent shops dominate repairs
The Senators highlighted that 70% of vehicle repairs are handled by independent outlets, often favored by consumers for their affordability and reliability. In contrast, dealership networks, which are supported by automakers, are consistently criticized for high prices. 
Automakers have argued that right-to-repair laws, which would provide third-party access to diagnostic and repair data, could compromise vehicle security. This debate has been particularly contentious in Massachusetts, where a state law mandating an open data platform for telematics received overwhelming voter approval. Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advised automakers not to cooperate with the law over cybersecurity concerns.
The Senators dismissed these claims, citing expert testimony that cybersecurity threats stem more from unsecured, poor-quality software than from sharing diagnostic tools. They also pointed to a German court ruling that struck down similar arguments made by Mercedes-Benz, calling them an invalid excuse to block access to repair data.
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Hypocrisy over data privacy
Automakers’s opposition to right-to-repair laws has been further undermined by their own practices around consumer data. Many companies package and sell driving data collected by connected vehicles without driver consent. The Senators’s letter accuses automakers of exploiting privacy concerns to maintain control over vehicle repairs while simultaneously sharing sensitive information when it benefits them financially. 
“It is clear that the motivation behind automotive companies’ avoidance of complying with right-to-repair laws is not due to a concern for consumer security or privacy, but instead a hypocritical, profit-driven reaction,” the Senators wrote. “This kind of anticonsumer, anti-repair practice must come to an end in all industries. Americans have a right to fix their own technology, farm equipment, and automobiles.”
Final thoughts
The Senators have given automakers until January 6 to answer a detailed questionnaire about their data collection and sharing practices, repair revenue, and lobbying efforts against right-to-repair laws. The letter also asks automakers to disclose any cybersecurity breaches within the last five years.
As of now, no automaker has publicly responded to the letter. However, with mounting pressure from lawmakers and consumer advocates, the fight over right-to-repair laws is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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