US Government Directs Car Manufacturers to Disregard Right-to-Repair Legislation

The Biden administration has instructed car manufacturers not to comply with a Massachusetts state law that would allow independent auto shops and car owners to fix their own vehicles. The law, known as the Data Access Law, grants open access to a car's telematics, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) argues could be hacked by a "malicious actor" to remotely command a car, leading to vehicle crashes, passenger injuries, or death. The NHTSA has reminded car manufacturers of their commitment to vehicle and passenger safety under the National Highway Traffic Safety Act, essentially instructing them to ignore the Data Access Law.