Car buyers face new in-vehicle surveillance

Aug 09, 2026

Starting next year, every new car sold in the U.S. will come with cameras and sensors that watch the driver — a privacy loss dressed up as a safety feature.

  • A 2021 infrastructure law requires automakers to put infrared cameras and sensors in every vehicle.
  • The systems constantly check whether the driver is drunk or drowsy by tracking eye movement, pupil size, and alertness.
  • If the car's AI decides you're impaired, it can stop the car from starting or cap how fast you can go.
  • This wipes out privacy inside your own car, turning it into a device that monitors you at all times.
  • The rule takes effect on new vehicles sold in the U.S. starting next year.

Outlook: Expect the mandate to hit showrooms next year, likely sparking fights over driver privacy and government overreach.

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