cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1247209/all-cars-sold-in-the-eu-now-require-a-camera-aimed-at-your-face-its-still-not-clear-wher
Starting July 7, 2026, every new car sold in the European Union must include a driver monitoring camera aimed at your face. Glance at your phone, your kids in the back seat, or the radio for too long, and the car will flash a warning light and sound an alert.
Automakers have known this was coming for years. What they, and EU regulators, have never spelled out is what happens to that footage after the alert goes off.
While the intention behind the new system is difficult to dispute, its implementation has raised several concerns. Early real-world testing suggests the distraction warnings can be overly sensitive and potentially distracting.
Worth noting, at least for those in the USA, your local chain auto parts store may lend out tools. The one around the corner from me used to.
My fan clutch seized up (it’s supposed to let go when it cools down so the fan isn’t always spinning at full speed). I needed a very wide wrench to get it off; even my biggest crescent wrench was way too small. They had a tool that fit perfectly and since DIYers buy their parts from them, it makes perfect sense that they’d happily lend these tools out as long as people bring them back. They put a hold on my card for the borrowed tool, but dropped it when I brought it back.
The broken fan clutch took my fuel economy (this was a late 90s vehicle) from 15-17mpg to 7-8mpg, but it roared like cross between a very angry hippo and a lion when that fan was pegged at 100%. I was a little sad when it was fixed… but my wallet was happy and the vehicle had a little power again instead of just sounding powerful.