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MARCH 8, 2006
REPRESENTATIVE DEMETRIUS J. ATSALIS ANNOUNCES HOUSE BILL TO PROTECT CONSUMER PRIVACY RIGHTS
Boston, MA – State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has worked together to pass legislation to ensure the privacy rights of drivers across the state. The bill now moves to the Senate to be voted on before it is sent to Governor Romney for his signature.
The House unanimously passed this piece of legislation which requires auto manufacturers and dealers to notify buyers that their cars come equipped with black boxes. Currently, car owners are not informed that cars are sold with event data recorders, commonly referred to as “black boxes.” These devices regularly record information about vehicle speed, steering performance, seat belt and air bag status, and brake deployment.
Insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and other interested third parties can access this data after an accident. The bill ensures that vehicle owners also have ownership of the information recorded by the black box. Non-owners, such as insurance companies or auto manufacturers, could only access the data with the owner’s consent or under certain limited circumstances, such as pursuant to a lawful court order.
“It is disconcerting to realize that our own cars are recording data without our knowledge and that we have no control over the information that is recorded by these devices, nor any control over who receives this information,” said Rep. Atsalis. “This bill ensures that Massachusetts drivers are given the proper information concerning the presence and capabilities of black boxes in all vehicles.”
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REPRESENTATIVE DEMETRIUS J. ATSALIS ANNOUNCES HOUSE
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES ELDER ABUSE BILL