ITS interface, digital tachograph technology for data protection

ITS interface, digital tachograph technology for data protection

The DTCO 4.0 smart tachograph comes standard with an ITS interface optimized for the transmission of our personal data. For your peace of mind, whether you are a fleet manager or a driver, I anticipate that this consent granted can be revoked at any time. In this article, I explain everything you need to know to comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of data of natural persons.

The smart tachograph and data protection

The DTCO 4.0 smart tachograph has revolutionised the competitiveness of road haulage companies. As you know, this device is easily integrated with the technology of our vehicle and complies with all the legal requirements set by European legislation.

Among the functionalities incorporated by the smart device, its ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) interface stands out. Thus, it complies with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.

The ITS system is associated with fleet management and the transmission of DTCO data to other applications. For its part, data  protection is fulfilled with the driver's authorization when transferring his personal data.

The DTCO 4.0 smart tachograph, ready for globalisation.

In our sector, rapid technological evolution and globalization have posed new challenges for the protection of personal data. The scale of information collection and sharing has increased significantly. The application of technology has allowed both private companies and public authorities to use personal data on an unprecedented scale when carrying out their activities. But do you know what you have to do to comply with current legislation?

In this regard, European regulations include:

Regulation (EU) 2016/679: Consent must be given by a clear affirmative act "reflecting a freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of the data subject's will to consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her, such as a written statement, including by electronic means, or an oral statement".

Now that you know why it is necessary for your tachograph to have an ITS interface to comply with European legislation, you should know that, as a driver, prior to the transmission of your personal data, you will have to give your consent and authorization. This fact ensures transparency throughout the  data processing process as  well as data protection. Thus, we will know that we are complying at all times with current legislation.

How does personal data work in the digital tachograph?

True to VDO technology, the operation of this interface is very simple. The first time we insert our driver card, the tachograph will ask us to consent to the transmission of our personal data. The answer admits of no doubt. You can only answer with Yes or NO.

You must bear in mind that among the personal data that may be transmitted are:

• Name and surname of the driver
• Driver card number
• Date of birth

In this way, when we insert the driver card for the first time in our smart tachograph, it will send us a message asking us if we agree with the transmission of the data associated with the driver to other external applications for fleet management.

In case the vehicle has a fleet management system, locator, etc. it is important that the driver accepts this option. Because if not, the fleet management system would not have all the data related to the driver and the vehicle while that driver is driving this vehicle.

Remember that there is a lot of data related to the vehicle itself such as speed, which is considered personal data. For the peace of mind of both the fleet manager and the driver of the vehicle, this consent granted can be revoked at any time.

Next, in this graphic I tell you how to do it:

Entry Driver 1 ▶ Driver 1 settings ▶ Publish ITS data: Yes

Smart tachograph to comply with data protection regulation

I hope that, with this entry, I have helped you understand and run on your DTCO 4.0 smart tachograph. the current regulations on data protection. Remember that your device is prepared to comply with the Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, as well as all the regulations related to  the tachograph in road transport  (EU) 165/2014 and the Smart Digital Tachograph (EU) 2016/799.

The digital tachograph is gradually becoming the smart device of the future. Some top-tier manufacturers such as Continental are pioneers in the implementation of tachograph technology that will undoubtedly help SMEs compete with more tools in their sector.