This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube news segment titled "Safety And Security Implications of Massachusetts Vote Yes on Question One" (Boston 25 News) from October 7, 2020. The excerpt is a multi‑speaker news piece about Massachusetts Ballot Question 1 (right to repair vs. vehicle data security). Participants include news reporters/interviewers (labeled SPEAKER A/B/D), independent mechanic Ghazi Elias, Right to Repair Coalition representative Tommy Hickey, former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis (paid spokesman for Yes on 1), an unnamed spokesperson for the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, and Cyber Social Identity Protection instructor Robert Siciliano, who is asked about safety concerns. The segment explains the dispute over access to vehicle telematics, arguments for supporting independent repair shops, opposing security concerns about wireless access and hacking risks, and notes recent campaign spending totals for both sides.
Chapters
Just 4 weeks away now, you probably noticed the airwaves are just flooded with ads for and against Question 1.
Right to repair versus data security. It is a complicated issue, and let's be honest, most of us don't really understand how the technology in our cars works. So we wanted to dig into the facts of this ballot question to help you sort through it all and make the best decision for yourself when you hit the polls.
Getting harder and harder, but You have to have the right software.
Mechanic Ghazi Elias has been in business for 20 years. He says right now independent shops are drowning in fees to keep up with diagnostic technology in newer cars. And he believes that gives an advantage to dealerships.
If it keep going back to the dealers, then within 5 years, a lot of business will go under.
He's one of hundreds of local shops supporting yes on Question 1. A yes vote on the Massachusetts ballot question would require that motor vehicle owners and independent repair facilities be provided with with expanded access to mechanical data related to vehicle maintenance and repair.
And without up-to-date technology in a competitive market, independent repairers can't do their job.
Tommy Hickey with the Right to Repair Coalition says even though voters approved right to repair overwhelmingly 8 years ago, a loophole is making it hard for independent shops to access wireless information called telematics. If passed, the ballot would require manufacturers, starting with 2022 model cars, to provide access to telematics to car owners, likely through an app. Then owners could decide if they wanted to share that information with the repair shop themselves.
Competition keeps prices down, and if one group has monopoly on this information, prices are going to go up.
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis is a paid spokesman for Yes on 1.
This is a classic David and Goliath case as far as I'm concerned.
But No on 1 supporters say there are Goliaths on both sides. National auto parts chains have spent millions on Yes on 1 ads.
Because it won't do anything to repair, to improve the consumer experience, but it will add tremendous risk for everyone.
The spokesperson for the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data says the question is not about repairs, but security.
When you lower the bar to access these systems wirelessly, you are opening a lock and opening a door for hacking that cannot be shut again.
Don't believe everything that you see and everything that you hear.
Boston 25 News asked Cyber Social Identity Protection instructor Robert Siciliano about those safety concerns.
There's no question that there are vulnerabilities with hacking automobiles. While there is a minuscule grain of truth to that, uh, you are far more vulnerable on your computer and/or your mobile phone, and your vehicle should be the least of your concerns when it comes to your personal security, uh, being vulnerable.
Siciliano says he believes concerns over stalkers and other bad actors are overblown. But no supporters maintain it's too big a risk to take.
The more people that have access to information, the more risk there is of doing harm.
And if you're wondering why there are so many ads on TV right now, it's because there is a ton of money being spent by both of these campaigns. Information just released today shows the Yes on 1 campaign spent $16.6 million so far. No on 1 not very far behind with $15.5 million. Now, back in 2012, they only spent a fraction of that money Not even 3 million combined.
