The automotive industry’s hypocrisy regarding consumer privacy has reached new heights, prompting a rare bipartisan response from US senators. While these companies zealously guard their repair monopolies under the pretense of “protecting consumer privacy,” they’re simultaneously selling our personal data to insurance companies and other third parties without batting an eye.

Living in a car-dependent outer suburb of Melbourne, I’ve experienced firsthand the frustration of dealing with manufacturer-authorized service centers. Last month, my daughter’s first car - a modest Japanese hatchback - needed repairs. The quote from the authorized dealer was eye-watering, nearly triple what my local mechanic estimated. But thanks to manufacturer restrictions, the local workshop couldn’t access the necessary diagnostic tools.