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For Immediate Release

FCC PROPOSES RULES TO HELP STOP ABUSERS FROM USING CONNECTED CARS TO HARASS & INTIMIDATE THEIR PARTNERS
New Safe Connections Act Proceeding Will Examine How the FCC Can Ensure Car Manufacturers and Wireless Carriers Are Taking Steps to Assist Abuse Survivors 
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WASHINGTON, April 8, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission will launch a formal proceeding to examine how it can best help stop abusers from using connectivity tools in vehicles to harass and intimidate their partners.  

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will examine how the agency can use existing law to ensure car manufacturers and wireless service providers are taking steps to assist abuse victims and seek comment on additional steps the Commission can take to safeguard domestic violence survivors.  It follows multiple media reports of smart car services being used to stalk and harm survivors of violence and abuse. 

“No survivor of domestic violence and abuse should have to choose between giving up their car and allowing themselves to be stalked and harmed by those who can access its connectivity and data,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “We can—and should—do more to make sure these new forms of communications help keep survivors safe.”

In January of this year, Chairwoman Rosenworcel wrote to auto manufacturers and wireless service providers to seek their help in protecting domestic abuse survivors from the misuse of connected car tools by abusers.  Building on that initiative, the Commission is now kicking off a proceeding which seeks comment on the types and frequency of use of connected car services that are available in the marketplace today.  It asks whether changes to the Commission’s rules implementing the Safe Connections Act are needed to address the impact of connected car services on domestic violence survivors.  And it seeks comment on what steps connected car service providers can proactively take to protect survivors from the misuse of connected car services.

Today’s action continues the FCC’s work implementing the Safe Connections Act, a bipartisan law which gives the FCC authority to assist survivors of domestic violence and abuse with secure access to communications.  Under this law, the Commission has already adopted rules requiring covered providers to separate phone lines linked to family plans where the abuser is on the account.  With this option, survivors can safely separate from family plans and keep their phone and phone number—keeping them connected to their friends, family, and supporters.

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).