Privacy

California Revamps Its Rulebook for Autonomous Cars; Totally Driverless Tests May Start Soon

March 13, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>California residents could be traveling in fully autonomous cars by the end of the year. And by that we mean people who aren’t just test engineers from the more than two dozen companies currently testing self-driving vehicles in the state, but regular members of the public. These folks could soon get their first experience with a technology that industry leaders have promised will transform the way we move around.</p>

Analysis: Autonomous Vehicles Not Ready for Deployment Without Drivers to Grab the Wheel

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p> </p> <p>Disengagement reports from companies testing autonomous cars on California’s public roads show that driverless vehicles are not ready to be deployed without human drivers who can take control when the self-driving technology fails, according to the group Consumer Watchdog.</p>

Uber Brings Driverless Cars Back to California

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The California Department of Motor Vehicles issued a permit for self-driving cars to Uber Wednesday, representing yet another step toward diffusing the strident battle the ride-hail giant fought against its home state last December.</p> <p>The permit will allow for the testing of two driverless vehicles – 2017 Volvo XC90s – the same cars involved in last year’s fracas between the DMV and the ride-hail company.</p>

Wolverton: Republicans Aim to Roll Back Online Privacy Protections

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Republicans in Washington are showing they really don’t care much about your online privacy.</p>

Despite Motorists’ Fears, Uber Gets Permission to Deploy Self-Driving Cars

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>The same week that the Department of Motor Vehicles gave Uber permission to deploy two self-driving vehicles on California streets, an AAA survey revealed Americans are anything but comfortable riding in cars that have a robot behind the wheel.</p> <p>The Auto Club revealed that three-quarters of U.S. drivers fear riding in self-driving cars; a majority (54 percent) feel less safe sharing the road with them. Baby boomer drivers were the most likely (85 percent) to express fear of riding in autonomous cars, the survey found.</p>

Uber’s Autonomous Cars Heading Back to California

March 9, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Hammered for months over a variety of ethical and legal slips, ride-sharing giant Uber appears to be taking steps to soften its macho corporate image while also being more cooperative with regulators.</p>

Uber Gains Permit for Self-Driving Car Tests in California; consumer group skeptical

March 9, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Uber's self-driving cars will return to California's streets, though the ride-hailing company doesn't immediately plan to pick up passengers.</p> <p>Uber received a permit Wednesday to test two Volvo SUVs on public roads, the California Department of Motor Vehicles said. Regulators also approved 48 people as backup drivers who must sit behind the wheel in case the prototype cars malfunction, agency spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said.</p>

Uber scores permit to test self-driving cars in California

March 8, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Uber’s self-driving Volvos are finally street-legal.</p> <p>Well, two of them are, anyway.</p> <p>The ride-hailing startup on Wednesday received a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that allows it to test two self-driving cars on public roads, a DMV spokeswoman said. The permit covers 48 drivers for the two cars.</p> <p>Uber says its self-driving cars are not back on the road yet, and it has no plans to resume its pilot program picking up passengers.</p>

Congressional Move to Invalidate Privacy Regs Introduced

March 8, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Sen. Jeff Flake today (March 8) ihas introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to invalidate the FCC's broadband privacy rules, according to a source.</p>

Uber to apply for California permit to test self-driving cars

March 2, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>SAN FRANCISCO — In a surprising about-face, Uber said Thursday it will apply for the state permit needed to legally test its self-driving cars here — a step the company previously had refused to take.</p>

Uber plans to apply for California self-driving permit

March 2, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Uber says it is working on an application for a California self-driving car permit — two months after the company publicly refused to do so and moved its autonomous vehicles from San Francisco to Arizona.</p> <p><br /> The Mercury News first reported that the company has been working with the California Department of Motor Vehicles on the application process. An Uber spokeswoman said the department has reinstated the registrations for two of the company’s self-driving Volvo XC90s, which are currently operating in San Francisco in manual mode.</p>

US regulator set to tamp down on privacy rules

February 27, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>FEBRUARY 27, 2017 —The Trump administration appears set to begin scaling back Federal Communications Commission regulations approved last year to further protect Americans' digital privacy and security. </p> <p>The FCC announced last week it would delay the implementation of Obama-era rules that call on internet service providers such as Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T to notify customers before sharing their sensitive personal data with third parties, from Social Security Numbers and web browsing histories to geolocation, finance, and health data. </p>