Your Vehicle’s Private Data Is Under New Protection When You Call for Emergency Roadside Help

When your vehicle breaks down and you need emergency assistance, you’re not just sharing your location with a tow truck driver—you’re potentially exposing sensitive personal data to a complex network of companies, data brokers, and third parties. Fortunately, new regulations are emerging to protect driver location and vehicle information during emergency calls, fundamentally changing how roadside assistance companies handle your most private data.

The Hidden Data Collection Behind Every Emergency Call

Connected vehicles collect extensive data to facilitate personalized driving experiences, predict maintenance issues, create tailored insurance quotes, and call law enforcement or emergency services in case of an emergency. However, this data can also be used by auto and mobility companies for their own purposes, unrelated to the provision of driving services, with much of this data falling within US privacy laws’ definitions of “personal data” or “personal information”.

When you call for roadside assistance, your vehicle’s systems may automatically transmit precise location data, driving patterns, and even personal preferences stored in your car’s computer systems. Companies have been collecting consumers’ precise geolocation data and driving behavior data, sometimes as often as every three seconds, and selling it to third parties without adequate consumer consent.

New Federal Enforcement Actions Changing the Game

The regulatory landscape shifted dramatically in 2025 when the Federal Trade Commission took its first action related to connected vehicle data against General Motors and OnStar over allegations they collected, used, and sold drivers’ precise geolocation data and driving behavior information without adequately notifying consumers and obtaining their affirmative consent.

This landmark case established new requirements that directly impact roadside assistance services. Companies must now obtain affirmative express consent from consumers prior to collecting connected vehicle data, with some exceptions such as providing location data to emergency first responders. This means legitimate emergency services can still access your location during genuine emergencies, but the data sharing must be transparent and limited.

State-Level Privacy Protections Taking Effect

California’s Privacy Protection Agency has been conducting reviews of connected vehicle manufacturers’ privacy practices, highlighting concerns about location sharing, web-based entertainment, smartphone integration, and cameras as particular concerns for consumer privacy. Texas has also initiated investigations into car manufacturers after widespread reporting that they were secretly collecting mass amounts of data about drivers and selling it to third parties, including insurance providers.

These enforcement actions have resulted in concrete protections for consumers. New regulations require companies to create ways for consumers to request copies of their data, seek its deletion, and give consumers the ability to disable precise geolocation data collection from their vehicles.

What This Means for Emergency Roadside Assistance

For drivers in need of emergency assistance, these regulations create important safeguards. New proposed legislation would prohibit manufacturers from accessing or selling vehicle data without explicit, written consent from the owner, with disclosure restricted to narrow circumstances such as emergencies or valid court orders.

Professional roadside assistance providers are adapting to these new requirements. Companies like C&C Diesel Service, which provides roadside assistance mitchell area drivers depend on, must now ensure their data collection practices comply with these evolving privacy standards. Mobile service providers bring certified mechanics directly to breakdown locations across service areas, operating 24/7 with fully equipped service trucks while maintaining family-owned approaches that emphasize personal attention and honest communication.

Your Rights During Emergency Calls

Under the new regulatory framework, you have specific rights when calling for roadside assistance. Companies can still provide location data to emergency first responders as an exception to consent requirements, ensuring you can get help when you need it most. However, any additional data sharing beyond emergency response must be clearly disclosed and require your explicit consent.

The industry is implementing data protection laws for digital platforms and guidelines for handling advanced vehicle technologies, while data-privacy mandates are raising entry barriers for service providers. This means you can expect more transparent privacy notices and clearer choices about how your data is used when you call for help.

Looking Ahead: Stronger Protections on the Horizon

2025 is expected to be another defining year for privacy regulation, with increased enforcement and the rapid evolution of rules governing location data and vehicle technologies expected to intensify. Legislators recognize that drivers are being tracked and their personal information monetized with little transparency or consent, with GPS locations and driving habits potentially sold to insurance companies or even international adversaries.

For consumers who rely on roadside assistance services, these developments represent a significant improvement in privacy protection. While emergency responders can still access your location during genuine emergencies, the days of unlimited, undisclosed data sharing are ending. As these regulations continue to evolve, drivers can expect greater transparency, more control over their personal information, and stronger protections for the sensitive data their vehicles collect during those crucial moments when they need help most.

The message is clear: your privacy doesn’t have to be the price you pay for roadside assistance. With proper regulatory oversight and industry compliance, you can get the emergency help you need while keeping your personal data secure.