According to a new report from ForbesThe Justice Department is demanding that Apple, Amazon and Google hand over the “identities, addresses and purchase histories” of more than 100,000 users of an “automotive DIY app” called EZ Lynk.
The report explains that Cayman Islands-based EZ Lynk is involved in a DOJ case regarding alleged violations of the Clean Air Act:
The DOJ first sued EZ Lynk in 2021, accusing the company of violating the Clean Air Act by selling “override devices,” designed to remove emissions controls on a vehicle. EZ Lynk denies that its primary purpose is to help drivers skirt emissions laws, as its apps can be used for other software adjustments and upgrades, as well as to monitor a car’s performance.
The DOJ sent subpoenas to Apple and Google in March and April, according to a joint letter seen by Forbes.
In the letter, EZ Lynk lawyers say Apple and Google plan to contest the claim.
“These requests for personal information from hundreds of thousands of people go far beyond the needs of this case and create serious privacy concerns,” EZ Lynk attorneys wrote in the letter. “Investigating this allegation does not require identifying every person who used the product.”
The government said in the letter that its data request was fair and appropriate, and that it had “consistently sought customer information” because its lawyers wanted to interview witnesses about their use of EZ Lynk’s technology. The company has previously presented evidence in court of people using the company’s tools to remove emissions controls from their cars, including posts on Facebook and EZ Lynk forums describing this use of the product.
The full report on Forbes has more details on the battle between the DOJ and EZ Lynk.
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