European Parliament Approves Data Act, Receives ACEA's Support

The European Union's Data Act, aimed at providing equal data access to all recipients, is currently under focus. The Act seeks to ensure transparency and fairness in vehicle data sharing, with no exceptions for vehicle manufacturers.

According to the Association of the European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA), the Data Act does not require immediate legislative attention. Instead, ACEA suggests that the Commission's resources should be directed towards the revision of eCall requirements, which involve outdated technology and are considered a matter of urgency.

The Data Act, however, requires authorities and the industry to focus on its implementation. ACEA supports the development of guidelines for the application of the Data Act, and the industry is open to these guidelines. The Act does not favour vehicle manufacturers in terms of data access, and vehicle manufacturers will not have any advantage over other data recipients.

It is important to note that users will have full control over all data shared by their vehicle under the Data Act. No exceptions apply to the data control given to users by the Act.

The implementation and impact of the Data Act on the industry and authorities are areas of focus post-adoption. ACEA believes that it would be inappropriate to immediately pursue another legislative effort on data, and they are not advocating for immediate action on data legislation.

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has been in effect since May 25, 2018, continues to shape the application of data protection laws. Authorities and industry can develop guidelines before formal adoption of new laws, as ongoing reforms and judicial rulings indicate continuing preparatory work.

In conclusion, the Data Act and the revision of eCall requirements are both critical issues that the Commission is urged to prioritise. While the Data Act may not need immediate legislative attention, the focus remains on its implementation and understanding its impact on the industry and authorities. The industry, for its part, is open to guidelines for the implementation of the Data Act, but currently does not request an immediate legislative effort on data.