Car manufacturers, dealers and franchisors; prohibit from sharing customer information with third parties.

HB 1178 prohibits Mississippi motor vehicle dealers, manufacturers, and franchisors from sharing customer lists or personal information with third parties, except for specific business needs like completing sales, processing incentives, evaluating dealer performance, warranty claims, or safety recalls. The bill directly affects car dealerships and manufacturers by restricting how they handle customer data. Key exceptions allow sharing only for legitimate operational purposes, such as validating incentives or handling warranty repairs, while maintaining obligations for safety notices. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.