Overview
- The federal cabinet published a 732‑page draft this week that would let the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution request vehicle telemetry from carmakers and, if needed, from garages and dealers.
- The draft lists specific telemetry types that could be requested, including driven routes, GPS location, odometer readings, ignition cycles and tank or battery charge status.
- Companies forced to comply would be barred from informing customers about requests under a secrecy rule, with only narrow exceptions for foreign firms governed by their home laws.
- Automakers and the motor‑trade federation have sharply objected, saying the law lacks precise definitions of ‘telemetry,’ risks exposing trade secrets, would be impractical for many workshops to implement and could damage consumer trust.
- The bill must still pass the Bundestag where lawmakers can amend it, and courts would be responsible for interpreting vague terms such as what qualifies as an ‘observation‑worthy threat,’ so the final scope and safeguards remain unresolved.