November 13, 2003

Experts to discuss who owns vehicle's "Black Box" data

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Industry and legal experts will discuss automotive "black box" technology and the issues of privacy and intellectual property in "The Censure of Sensors - A Telematics Debate" on Wednesday, November 19, 2003, at the Westin Hotel in Southfield, Michigan.

"The automotive industry is on a clear collision course with civil liberties", said the Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA). "Already, onboard data about how a vehicle is driven can be and are being downloaded without the knowledge or consent of the driver. That information is being studied by fleet owners, inspected by law enforcement, and even being subpoenaed into courts of law. Ironically, these data are being made available courtesy of the vehicle's manufacturer and paid for by an unknowing consumer."

In cooperation with SAA, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International will issue a public statement relating to the standardization of data transfer, the first step in expanding the application of telematics in automobiles.

Csaba Csere, editor of Car and Driver magazine, will moderate. Panelists confirmed to date are: Philip Haseltine, president of the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety; Arlington, VA Michael Khoury, head of the technology practice at the law firm of Raymond & Prokop P.C.; Southfield Kathleen Konicki, Director of Safety for Nationwide Insurance; Columbus, OH

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