Federal government confirms importance of how information is controlled
Security is a key consideration for the Australian government in the future implementation of automated and connected vehicles, it says, adding it is well aware of the privacy risks and challenges involved with the technology.
The government recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US state of Michigan to share knowledge and resources towards the proliferation of future vehicle and road safety.
It came shortly after the National Transport Commission (NTC) released a discussion paper, Regulating Government Access to C-ITS and Automated Vehicle Data, with a concern that the regulatory framework here may not adequately cover the complexities of technological advances.
Read about the National Transport Commission’s privacy concerns, here
However, a government spokesperson told ATN that development of security and regulation were just as important as the glossier elements of the technology.
“The safety, security and privacy of any new technology is of primary importance and security is a key theme in the body of work that federal and state and territory governments are progressing to prepare for connected and automated vehicles.
“Emerging transport technologies are expected to produce large amounts of data and governments are already taking steps to ensure that any personal data appropriately protected in line with community expectations.”
The spokesperson referenced the NTC’s discussion paper, which seeks to liaise with industry and government and the public towards refining a framework by 2020, which ensures the technology doesn’t come to fruition until all safety and regulatory bases are covered and tailored for “unique” Australian conditions.
“The COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council’s Policy Framework for Land Transport Technology outlines important considerations around data privacy and security for Australia’s future regulatory environment,” the spokesperson says.
“The National Transport Commission’s discussion paper, Regulating Government Access to C-ITS and Automated Vehicle Data, forms part of this work.”
The spokesperson stressed the importance of the MOU with Michigan, signed at Melbourne University’s engineering department dedicated to future vehicle development, the Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES), to achieving better outcomes in Australia by collaborating with one of the global centres of the auto industry.
“Australia’s regulatory framework and policy approaches need to be informed by progress internationally, particularly as Australia is a relatively small vehicle market. Michigan is an important partner as a long-standing global centre of automotive industry innovation.
“The recently signed MOU with Michigan signals an important new partnership that will assist Australian research institutions and industries to establish links with their Michigan counterparts and to share scientific, technological, regulatory and policy learnings, including around security and privacy of data.”