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The United States Department of Justice has subpoenaed Apple and Google to provide information on at least 100,000 users who downloaded the EZ Lynk Auto Agent app. It’s only the latest measure the federal government has taken against EZ Lynk, as the DOJ sued the company in 2021 while claiming it refused to cooperate with an Environmental Protection Agency investigation. At the heart of the fight are accusations that EZ Lynk purposely assisted customers in modifying their vehicles to violate the Clean Air Act.

User privacy is the major concern with this move by the DOJ, as Forbes highlights. The outlet points to a joint letter from EZ Lynk and the DOJ to the court, in which the former disputes the subpoenas’ validity, while the latter states that its lawyers want to interview individuals about how they used EZ Lynk’s products. Consumer rights advocates question why the DOJ would need anyone’s identities, addresses, and purchase histories to do so.

“These requests for potentially hundreds of thousands of people’s PII go well beyond the needs of this case and create serious privacy concerns,” EZ Lynk’s lawyers wrote. “Investigating this claim does not require identifying each person who has used the product.”

However, the DOJ says that anyone who agreed to EZ Lynk’s terms and conditions “no longer [has] a cognizable privacy interest as to that information.”

The DOJ also subpoenaed Walmart and Amazon to provide names and addresses for people who bought the EZ Lynk Auto Agent hardware.

There’s no question that drivers use EZ Lynk’s technology to defeat the emissions systems on their vehicles. You can find evidence of it across the web, with diesel truck drivers using it to reflash their engine control unit after removing the diesel particulate filter or exhaust gas recirculation system. But not everyone who has purchased an EZ Lynk Auto Agent or downloaded the app uses it for that purpose. It’s advertised to shop technicians for vehicle diagnostics, as well as fleet managers who need to monitor drivers’ electronic logging devices. It’s effectively a do-it-all OBDII tool that people can deploy for many reasons, including illegal ones.

Some may find the government’s continued pursuit of EZ Lynk surprising, given the EPA’s softened stance on enforcement. As far back as 2023, the agency has said that emissions defeat devices are no longer a top priority. It later announced that it would no longer pursue criminal charges over OBDII tampering. We’ve even seen President Trump pardon a convicted diesel tuner who was jailed for removing emissions components from trucks.

Nevertheless, the fight between the DOJ and EZ Lynk continues.

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Polestar began sending out a major software update to its vehicles, bringing Google Gemini into the cabin. It replaces the older Google Assistant with a much smarter artificial intelligence. Starting in the United States, drivers no longer have to talk to their cars like they are barking orders at a robot.

Until recently, using voice commands in a car was quite clunky. You had to memorize specific phrases. If you wanted to find a store, you had to say exactly the right words. If you stumbled over a sentence, the car would get confused. Polestar and Google are now ending that era. With the new Gemini system, drivers can use “free-flowing conversation.” This means you can talk to your car just like you would talk to another person sitting in the seat next to you.

The update arrives through an “over-the-air” or OTA update. Owners of eligible electric cars will see a message pop up on the large screen in the middle of their dashboard. They can choose to accept the new AI or keep the old system for a while. However, Polestar says that over time, Gemini will completely take over. Currently, the update is available for drivers in the US who use American English, but the company plans to add more languages and countries very soon.

Most of the brand’s lineup will get the update. This includes the popular Polestar 2, the large Polestar 3 SUV, and the sleek Polestar 4. Even the upcoming Polestar 5 grand tourer is part of the update. In fact, Polestar used the Polestar 5 to show off the technology at an event in Finland recently. The only model missing out is the Polestar 1. Because that car was a low-volume hybrid and not a mass-produced EV, it does not have the hardware needed for this specific update.

One of the best things about this change is how the car understands complicated thoughts. In the past, you might say, “Hey Google, find a supermarket.” Now, you can be much more specific. You can say, “Hey Google, let’s find a store on the way home, and tell my friend Joe I am coming.” The car understands that you have two different goals. It finds the best route and sends a text message at the same time. You do not have to start a new search if you forget a small detail. The AI remembers what you were talking about and can answer follow-up questions.

There is also a new tool called Gemini Live. You can start it by saying, “Hey Google, let’s talk.” This is a hands-free way to get help with daily life while you drive. If you are stuck in traffic and need a dinner recipe or ideas for a birthday present, you can brainstorm with the car. It listens and responds in a way that feels natural, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road instead of looking at their phones for help. The AI also helps break down language barriers. The system can now translate messages instantly. For example, a driver can speak a message in English and tell the car to translate it into Swedish before sending it.

The update is part of a long partnership between Polestar and Google that started in 2018. In 2020, the Polestar 2 became the very first car in the world to launch with Google’s car software built in. Other companies like Tesla try to build all their own software from scratch, but Polestar decided to work with Google, allowing them to get new features faster. One recent example is “Live Lane Guidance” for the Polestar 4. This feature uses the car’s cameras to help drivers stay in the correct lane on busy highways. It requires software version 4.2.9 or 4.2.10.

Hans Bleckert, a top manager at Polestar, says this is a huge shift in how people use their EVs. He believes that this is just the beginning of what AI can do for drivers. Michael Lohscheller, who leads the Polestar brand, is also pushing for these digital upgrades to make their electric cars feel more modern. By focusing on how humans actually speak, Polestar is making the car feel less like a tool and more like a helpful partner.

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Google has just announced that it’s bringing support for Google Meet to Apple CarPlay. This will let you stay connected hands-free and join meetings while on the road with a single tap.

Google Meet is now available among all the other CarPlay apps on your car’s dashboard. It seamlessly transitions from your iPhone too, ensuring you never miss a discussion.

For safety reasons, you can only participate in calls in audio-only mode while in the car, to maintain your focus on driving. That means your camera will be off and you won’t see the incoming video content, you will just hear the audio.

Aside from support for audio calls and joining meetings, the CarPlay version of Google Meet also lets you view your upcoming schedule.

Google Meet is coming to Android Auto as well, “soon”.