California is testing a new way to pay for road maintenance, and it’s raising some serious privacy concerns. The state wants to charge drivers based on how many miles they drive, rather than how much gas they buy.
Why? Because with more electric cars on the road, gas tax revenue is dropping off in that state.
The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is running a voluntary pilot program where participants can earn up to $400 for testing out this mileage-based system. But there’s a catch.
To track your miles, you’ll have to choose between manually reporting your odometer readings or using a plug-in device or in-vehicle tracking system – both of which could include GPS.
That’s where things get a bit creepy.
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Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst and FOX Business contributor, points out that having GPS tracking in cars “raises some of the same concerns that we saw with privacy that we have had with social media companies and cellphone data.”
Guess which state is considering a $0.3 tax for every mile you drive: pic.twitter.com/zKfYeMjrgx
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CalSTA claims that they have security measures in place to protect personal information and that GPS data will be anonymized.
But let’s be real – the idea of the government tracking your every move behind the wheel is a bit unsettling.
The state has been exploring alternative revenue sources since 2014, but this mileage tax pilot program is the first real step towards making it a reality. And while the program is voluntary for now, it’s not hard to imagine a future where every driver in California is required to have their mileage tracked using an on-vehicle device.
California may be leading the charge on this mileage tax idea at the moment, but you can bet other states are sure to follow suit if it proves successful.
So, the next time you’re cruising down the highway, just remember – Big Brother is watching and he wants to get inside your car with you. And that’s not a comforting thought, no matter how you spin it.
