The Department of Justice is demanding major tech providers Amazon, Apple and Google provide identities, addresses and purchase histories of at least 100,000 people who used a car tinkering app made by Cayman Islands-based EZ Lynk. The subpoenas are part of the DOJ’s ongoing court case against EZ Lynk over its alleged role in Clean Air Act violations, which the company disputes.

It’s a rare example of the government obtaining subpoenas to grab data on anyone who downloaded an app. In one case in 2019, Forbes revealed Apple and Google were ordered to provide information on over 10,000 people who installed a gun scope app on their phone. In this latest case, the government is asking for information on at least 10 times more individuals. EZ Lynk, privacy advocates and car enthusiasts say the subpoenas represent overreach by the government and a threat to Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches.

The DOJ first sued EZ Lynk in 2021, accusing the company of breaking the Clean Air Act by selling “defeat devices,” which are designed to remove emissions controls on a vehicle. EZ Lynk denies its primary purpose is to help drivers circumvent emissions laws, as its apps can be used for other tweaks and software upgrades, as well as to monitor a car’s performance.

“People want to modify their cars and always will.” Justin Montalbano, CTO at vehicle cybersecurity company Block Harbor

“People want to modify their cars and always........

© Forbes