6/29/05-Gov. John Hoeven has signed a bill into law giving passenger vehicle owners control over any data collected by their vehicle’s data recorders, often referred to as black boxes or electronic on-board recorders.
This information, which is increasingly common in newer vehicles, could include the vehicle’s speed, direction of travel, location, steering performance, braking performance, and seat belt status and accident information.
“As technology advances so do the risks of intrusion into personal privacy,” said Hoeven in a written statement. “This bill informs our consumers and puts in their hands the choice of who they want to share their private information with.”
It requires automobile dealers to disclose the presence of a recording device, provides that the information stored in such devices is property of the vehicle owner and forbids insurance companies from requiring disclosure of the information as a condition of insurability. The information can only be accessed by consent of the owner or through a court order.
The new law, previously SB2200, won widespread support in the state’s House and Senate.

4/22/05-A bill before Gov. John Hoeven would give passenger vehicle owners control over any data collected by their vehicle’s data recorders, often referred to as black boxes or electronic on-board recorders.
SB2200, sponsored by Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, overwhelmingly passed the House and Senate.
The bill would prohibit the release of such information as the vehicle’s speed, direction of travel, location, steering performance, braking performance, seat-belt status and accident data.
For bill status, call (701) 328-2916. In North Dakota, call 1-888-635-3437.