Public Knowledge Demands FCC Protect Wireless Car Network from Cyberattacks

Public Knowledge and The New America Open Technology Institute filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission to establish requirements for cybersecurity and privacy protection in the Direct Short Range Communication (DSRC) service. Public Knowledge’s Petition for Rulemaking asks the FCC to adopt the following safety measures before permitting the auto industry to deploy DSRC for American vehicles:

• Limit DSRC to life and safety uses only. The auto industry plans to take spectrum allocated for safety of life and monetize it with advertising and mobile payments. This compromises cybersecurity and potentially violates the privacy of every driver and passenger.
• Require automakers to file a cybersecurity plan before activating DSRC systems. This plan should not only show that auto manufacturers have taken appropriate precautions today, but explain how they will update security over the life of the vehicle.
• Data transparency and breach notification. Auto manufacturers must inform purchasers of DSRC-equipped cars what personal information they collect and how they will use that information. In the event of a data breach, the manufacturer collecting the information must notify the customer.