The Department of Justice has ordered Apple and Google to turn over user data from over 100,000 customers of EZ Lynk, a company that sells OBD-II diagnostic devices and associated apps. The government's investigation centers on evidence that some customers use these tools to disable or defeat emissions control systems on their vehicles, a practice that violates federal environmental law.

OBD-II ports sit under dashboards in most modern cars and allow direct access to engine control modules. EZ Lynk's devices and smartphone apps let owners read and modify vehicle data through these ports. While legitimate uses exist—owners can monitor fuel economy or troubleshoot mechanical issues—the technology also enables emissions cheating. Tuning shops and individual drivers have used similar devices to remove or alter emissions-related code, boosting performance while sidestepping environmental regulations.

This marks an escalation in federal enforcement against emissions manipulation tools. The EPA and DOJ have long investigated aftermarket tuning companies and device makers that facilitate defeats. EZ Lynk itself has faced scrutiny before. The company markets its products for "off-road use only" on some platforms, a common legal shield that manufacturers use to avoid culpability when end-users apply the tools illegally on street vehicles.

The subpoenas to Apple and Google target user data stored through EZ Lynk's mobile apps on both iOS and Android platforms. Investigators likely seek account information, purchase history, device registration data, and location or usage patterns that might identify which vehicles owners have connected to the system and how they've modified them.

This enforcement action reflects broader government pressure on emissions-defeat tools. The FTC and DOJ have targeted multiple tuning companies and diesel-delete shops in recent years. For manufacturers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, whose trucks are popular targets for emissions modifications, the data collection offers federal investigators a clearer picture