Does my telematics and vehicle data fall under the Data Act?
Adopted 2026-06-14 · ≈ 1 min read · 
edited by Dirk Baaijen
Yes. Data generated by your trucks, on-board units and sensors falls under the Data Act's connected-product rules. As a user you have a right of access — and can have that data shared with a third party. What that means for your fleet.
Short answer: yes. A truck with telematics, an on-board unit, a reefer with sensors — these are "connected products". The data they generate falls under the Data Act's connected-product rules (applicable since 12 September 2025).
Who is the "user"?
The Data Act grants rights to the user of the connected product: the party that owns, rents or leases it. A carrier operating its (leased or owned) trucks is therefore a user — with a right to access the data those vehicles produce, and to have it shared with a third party of choice.
What that means for your fleet
- Vehicle and machine data are no longer a closed box. You can request the
data your OEM or telematics provider keeps "behind the dashboard".
- Do you hold others' data yourself (e.g. as a supplier or platform)? Then
the duty to enable that access falls on you.
Note: GDPR too
If the data contains personal data (e.g. traceable to a driver), the GDPR applies alongside the Data Act. Access and sharing must then respect both regimes.
What to do
- Map which connected data you generate and hold.
- Ask your suppliers how you can request and export that data.
- Record who is entitled to it, so you can assess requests.
Read the main file: The Data Act for transport and logistics. Or take the Transport & Logistics scan to see your full regulatory picture.
Sources
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2854/oj
Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 (Data Act): access to and sharing of connected-product and related-service data; applicable since 12 September 2025. - https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/data-act
European Commission — Data Act policy page: scope, rights and obligations.
Read next
The Data Act for transport and logistics: who gets access to your vehicle and supply-chain data?
The Data Act has applied since 12 September 2025 and affects anyone with connected vehicles, machines or sensors. It governs who can access the data they generate, enforces fair sharing terms, and makes switching between cloud services easier. What does that mean for transport and logistics?
The Data Act and trade secrets: must I share data that is my trade secret?
Not a free pass to refuse. The Data Act gives users a right to data from connected products, but protects trade secrets: you may take safeguards and, in exceptional cases, refuse where serious harm is shown.
Data Act and leased vehicles: who is the "user" of the data?
Under the Data Act, the user is whoever owns, rents or leases the connected product. For a leased vehicle this is typically the lessee who actually uses the vehicle, not the leasing company.