Illinois Criminalizes Electronic Vehicle Tracking With Limited Exceptions

Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security

Recently, Illinois enacted HB 1199, which makes it illegal for any person or entity in Illinois to use an electronic vehicle tracking device to determine the location or movement of a person. The law provides an exception for “telematics” services that were installed by a vehicle manufacturer, or installed by or with the consent of the owner or lessee of the vehicle and to which the owner or lessee has subscribed. Telematics include, but are not limited to, automatic airbag deployment and crash notification, remote diagnostics, navigation, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock, transmitting emergency and vehicle location information to public safety answering points, and any other service integrating vehicle location technology and wireless communications. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2014.