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DOJ reportedly demands Apple and Google identify over 100,000 users of ...
According to a new report from Forbes, the Department of Justice is demanding Apple, Amazon, and Google hand over “identities, addresses, and purchase histories” of more than 100,000 users of a “car tinkering app” called EZ Lynk. The report explains that EZ Lynk, based in the Cayman Islands, is embroiled in a DOJ case over alleged Clean Air Act Violations: The DOJ first sued EZ Lynk in 2021, accusing the company of breaking the Clean Air Act by selling “defeat devices,” which are designed to remove emissions controls on a vehicle. EZ Lynk denies its primary purpose is to help drivers circumvent emissions laws, as its apps can be used for other tweaks and software upgrades, as well as to monitor a car’s performance. The DOJ sent subpoenas to Apple and Google in March and April, according to a joint letter seen by Forbes. In the letter, EZ Lynk’s lawyers say Apple and Google plan to challenge the request. “These requests for potentially hundreds of thousands of people’s PII go well beyond the needs of this case and create serious privacy concerns,” wrote EZ Lynk’s lawyers in the letter. “Investigating this claim does not require identifying each person who has used the product.” The government said in the letter its request for data was fair and appropriate, and it had “consistently sought customer information” because its lawyers want to interview witnesses about their use of EZ Lynk’s technology. It has already presented evidence to the court of people using the company’s tools to remove emissions controls on their cars, including Facebook and EZ Lynk forum posts outlining that use of the product. The full report at Forbes has more details on the battle between the DOJ and EZ Lynk. My favorite iPhone accessories: Anker Nano USB-C wall charger with built-in screen CardPointers: Maximize credit card rewards (exclusively save 30%) Charge all your Apple gear at the same time Bring wireless CarPlay to any car USB-C cable that shows how fast you’re charging Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The DOJ Is Demanding Apple And Google Identify Over 100,000 Users Of ...
Car tinkering technology can tweak on-board software, but in some cases the government says it's illegal, if it's primary purpose is to remove emissions controls.gettyThe Department of Justice is demanding major tech providers Amazon, Apple and Google provide identities, addresses and purchase histories of at least 100,000 people who used a car tinkering app made by Cayman Islands-based EZ Lynk. The subpoenas are part of the DOJ’s ongoing court case against EZ Lynk over its alleged role in Clean Air Act violations, which the company disputes. It’s a rare example of the government obtaining subpoenas to grab data on anyone who downloaded an app. In one case in 2019, Forbes revealed Apple and Google were ordered to provide information on over 10,000 people who installed a gun scope app on their phone. In this latest case, the government is asking for information on at least 10 times more individuals. EZ Lynk, privacy advocates and car enthusiasts say the subpoenas represent overreach by the government and a threat to Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches. The DOJ first sued EZ Lynk in 2021, accusing the company of breaking the Clean Air Act by selling “defeat devices,” which are designed to remove emissions controls on a vehicle. EZ Lynk denies its primary purpose is to help drivers circumvent emissions laws, as its apps can be used for other tweaks and software upgrades, as well as to monitor a car’s performance.“People want to modify their cars and always will.” According to a joint letter to the court from EZ Lynk and the DOJ, filed earlier this month, the DOJ subpoenaed Apple and Google across March and April for details on anyone who downloaded EZ Lynk’s Auto Agent app to find customers to testify in the case. Subpoenas were also served on Amazon and Walmart, asking for names and addresses of people who bought the EZ Lynk hardware that users plug into a port in their vehicle, the letter says. In the letter, EZ Lynk lawyers wrote that Apple and Google are planning to fight the subpoenas. Walmart declined to comment. None of the other companies subpoenaed responded to a comment request.“These requests for potentially hundreds of thousands of people’s PII go well beyond the needs of this case and create serious privacy concerns,” wrote EZ Lynk’s lawyers in the letter. “Investigating this claim does not require identifying each person who has used the product.”The government said in the letter its request for data was fair and appropriate, a...
DOJ Is Asking Apple and Google to Hand Over Data on 100,000 Users of a ...
The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking the identities, addresses, and purchase histories of at least 100,000 people who used a car app tied to alleged Clean Air Act violations.
DOJ Demands Data on 100,000 Users of EZ Lynk Diesel Truck Tuner App
The Department of Justice has sent subpoenas to Apple and Google demanding user data for the popular EZ Lynk diesel truck tuner app as part of its ongoing criminal case. EZ Lynk is a cloud-based vehicle diagnostics and tuning platform that allows diesel truck owners and tuners to remotely monitor, update and reprogram engine software through a smartphone-connected device plugged into the truck ...
