Waymo Sues California DMV to Keep Autonomous Crash Data Private
Waymo files a lawsuit against the California DMV to prevent the public release of its autonomous vehicle crash reports and emergency response protocols. The company claims this required permit data consists of protected trade secrets.
Waymo takes legal action against the California DMV to prevent the release of its autonomous vehicle crash data and safety records. The company argues that the detailed findings required for state driving permits actually qualify as protected trade secrets rather than standard public safety information.
The legal dispute emerges after an unnamed party requests Waymo's driverless deployment applications, prompting the DMV to allow the company to heavily redact the documents before release. A challenger contests these blacked-out pages, which hide everything from collision details to the company's protocols for handling emergency situations and prohibited driving zones.
In its lawsuit filed in Sacramento County, Waymo claims that forcing the disclosure of this sensitive information discourages investment and stifles the broader autonomous vehicle industry. However, this push for secrecy directly conflicts with ongoing public demands for transparency regarding the safety and real-world performance of self-driving technology.