Can hacking and stealing a CAR violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?

Ford wants its cars connected to the Internet. By now we all know from my previous post on United States v. Kramer that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act applies to anything with a microchip or data processor that is connected to the Internet.

So, the question I have is, if someone steals one of these cars by “hacking” into the electronics system without, or exceeding, authorized access, will that be a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?

What do you you think?

Here is the article that prompted this question: Ford Wants Help In Merging Cars With Web – Venture Capital Dispatch – WSJ.

Published by Shawn E. Tuma

Shawn Tuma is an attorney who is internationally recognized in cybersecurity, computer fraud and data privacy law, areas in which he has practiced for nearly two decades. He is a Partner at Spencer Fane, LLP where he regularly serves as outside cybersecurity and privacy counsel to a wide range of companies from small to midsized businesses to Fortune 100 enterprises. You can reach Shawn by telephone at 972.324.0317 or email him at stuma@spencerfane.com. View more posts