GA SB81

Extends consumer data protection requirements to affiliates of franchisors, manufacturers, and distributors, requiring compliance with federal and state data safeguards including Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act standards

Establishes new protections for "protected dealer data" (consumer information, vehicle diagnostic data, business operations data), prohibiting third parties from accessing, sharing, or selling such data without prior express written consent from the dealer

Requires dealer data systems vendors to provide secure open APIs for authorized integrators and allows dealers to terminate vendor contracts with no more than 90 days' notice, with mandatory secure data transition to successor vendors

Mandates franchisors communicate vehicle allocation processes in writing within 30 days of dealer request and requires fair, equitable allocation among all line-make dealers in the state

Requires manufacturers to compensate dealers for assisting customers with remote vehicle updates and to provide written disclosure of all vehicle accessories or functions that can be remotely initiated, updated, or changed by the manufacturer