CPPA's Probe on Connected Cars, Tesla Steers More Enforcement
June 3, 2025 – ArticlePeter Jackson, Counsel in the firm's Intellectual Property & Technology Group, authored an article for Bloomberg Law titled "CPPA's Probe on Connected Cars, Tesla Steers More Enforcement." In the piece, Peter explores the California Privacy Protection Agency's enforcement action concerning connected vehicles and highlights the broader privacy concerns it brings to light.
Excerpts
Honda Motor Co.’s $632,500 privacy deal suggests steeper fines are coming for “connected” carmakers. Few were surprised an automaker like Honda would become the first business to settle a claim with California’s privacy watchdog.
The California Privacy Protection Agency first hinted at a “connected vehicles” investigation in July 2023, the same month its enforcement authority began. The surprise? Honda’s cars had nothing to do with it.
Honda’s fine stems entirely from its website, which made it difficult for Californians to exercise their privacy rights. But the settlement leaves little doubt: Honda came in for scrutiny as part of that probe. Honda.com’s issues obscure the likeliest reason the real target—Honda’s cars—remained unblemished: Only one model in Honda’s lineup is capable of connecting to the internet on its own.
