EU pushes GPS‑based speed limiters for new cars amid cybersecurity concerns

The European Union is preparing to require a GPS‑based speed‑limiting system in all new vehicles. Building on the intelligent speed assistance (ISA) rule that has been mandatory since 2024, the proposed technology would compare a car’s position with digital map data and automatically curb acceleration when the legal speed limit is reached. While proponents cite reduced speeding‑related accidents, critics point to potential errors from outdated maps, temporary road works and situations such as overtaking where the system could intervene incorrectly.

At the same time, the automotive industry’s shift to over‑the‑air (OTA) software updates is raising serious cybersecurity worries. Investigations in Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom have uncovered remote access to bus power‑control systems, prompting broader probes into the vulnerability of connected vehicles. Security experts warn that any vehicle with internet connectivity could be targeted for remote hijacking, and the United States is also intensifying its scrutiny of OTA security. Regulators are urging manufacturers to strengthen safeguards as the technology becomes standard across Europe.