Automakers are closely watching California’s evolving tracking requirements and their potential impact

Could car sales face disruption?

Buying a new car is usually about finding the right price, style, and features. But in California, a privacy law created major concern across the auto market before lawmakers approved extra time for certain connected-vehicle technology requirements.

The issue is not about engines or safety ratings. It centers on how connected cars collect and share location data. That has turned a technology many drivers use every day into a major topic for automakers, lawmakers, dealers, and privacy advocates.

Why the new law was created

California’s SB 1394 was designed to protect people from being tracked through a vehicle’s connected services without their permission. Lawmakers wanted to help victims of abuse or stalking by giving them better control over who can access vehicle location information.

Many newer vehicles connect to smartphone apps and online accounts. These systems can provide useful services like remote start, navigation, and vehicle location. The law aims to make sure those same tools cannot be used to secretly monitor another person’s movements.

What automakers must change

The law requires covered providers to give drivers a way to disable connected vehicle location access from inside the vehicle. SB 719 changed the schedule for some in-vehicle technology requirements and applies the location-access indicator requirement to all vehicles beginning with the 2031 model year.

Car companies said these changes involved more than a simple software update. Automakers argued that some requirements needed engineering, testing, and integration across different makes, models, model years, and vehicle systems.

Why sales became a concern

Automakers warned before the July 1 deadline that selling vehicles that did not meet the law could create compliance problems. Industry representatives said vehicle sales in California could be disrupted if lawmakers did not approve extra time for certain technology requirements.

That warning drew attention from drivers, dealerships, and industry groups because California is the largest U.S. auto market by sales share. With SB 719 now chaptered, the immediate deadline pressure has eased, but the updated requirements still matter for future vehicle design and compliance planning.

SB 719 gave automakers more time

SB 719 gave automakers additional time to meet certain connected-vehicle technology requirements. Supporters said extending the timeline would allow companies to make required updates without disrupting vehicle sales.

The bill was chaptered on June 30, 2026, as Chapter 53, Statutes of 2026. It moved the deadline to July 1, 2027, for model year 2027 and older vehicles unless implementation is technologically infeasible, and it set later timing rules for newer model years.

One rule is already active

Not every part of SB 1394 is waiting for future changes. One important requirement is already in effect. Vehicle owners can ask an automaker to remove another person’s access to the connected services associated with their vehicle.

Once that request is made, the company must process it within two business days. After access is removed, the former user can no longer receive information about the vehicle, the account, or the driver’s connected services.

Better privacy for vehicle owners

The law also focuses on protecting personal information during the removal process. Companies must handle customer information related to vehicle accounts confidentially and comply with privacy rules when processing it.

After access is removed, the former user should no longer receive information about the vehicle, the driver, or a new connected vehicle service account. The law allows limited sharing only in specific circumstances, such as when the driver gives affirmative consent or when sharing is needed to complete the connected-vehicle service request.

Connected cars do a lot today

Modern vehicles can do much more than provide directions. Many connected systems offer emergency assistance, roadside support, maintenance alerts, remote locking, and the ability to locate a parked vehicle through a mobile app.

These features are convenient for millions of drivers, but they also depend on collecting and sharing certain types of data. That is why lawmakers and automakers are working to balance useful technology with stronger privacy protections for vehicle owners.

Rental cars are different

The new law does not apply to rental vehicles in the same way it applies to privately owned cars. Rental companies are not required to add the same connected service controls outlined in SB 1394.

Instead, rental businesses continue operating under their own systems and privacy policies. Drivers using rental cars may have different account features and access controls than those available in personally owned vehicles with connected services.

What drivers should know

If you own a connected vehicle, it is a good idea to review who has access to your vehicle account. Many manufacturers allow owners to manage users through a mobile app or an online account dashboard.

People who sell a vehicle, end a shared ownership arrangement, or no longer want someone connected to their account should check their settings. Keeping account permissions up to date can help protect both privacy and personal information.

A little known privacy fact

Connected vehicles collect more than just location data. Depending on the model and services you use, they may also store maintenance records, battery health information, system diagnostics, and crash notification details to improve customer support and vehicle safety.

Many drivers are surprised to learn that different types of vehicle data are handled under different privacy rules. This growing mix of convenience and data collection is one reason lawmakers and automakers continue to debate how connected-car information should be managed and protected.

What happens next?

The future depends on how California automakers implement the updated timeline. Extra time has now been approved, giving manufacturers more room to update their systems without the immediate disruption that industry groups had warned could affect vehicle sales across the state.

SB 719 moved the deadline to July 1, 2027, for model year 2027 and older vehicles unless implementation is technologically infeasible. Drivers across the country may still watch the issue closely because California often sets policies that influence the wider auto industry.

Take a closer look at Florida’s proposals for faster highways and digital vehicle registration checks, and what they could mean for drivers.

Privacy meets modern driving

Technology has made today’s vehicles smarter and more connected than ever before. At the same time, stronger privacy protections are becoming just as important as comfort, convenience, and safety.

Finding the right balance will shape how future cars are designed and sold. As automakers adjust to California’s updated timeline, staying informed can help you understand how privacy laws may affect future vehicle features.

Find out why California’s auto market is approaching a key deadline that could disrupt vehicle sales and affect buyers and dealers.

What do you think about these new tracking rules? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a like.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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