ZAK evaluates Audi, BMW/Mini and Tesla infotainment systems

Media law
The Media State Convention applies to infotainment systems

08.04.2024

By Susanne Braun

2 minutes Reading time

Topic providers

The Media Accreditation and Regulatory Commission has evaluated entertainment systems from Audi, BMW/Mini and Tesla. The result: systems must deliver advertising content in an unobstructed manner.

In-car entertainment systems like the one on the Polestar may come under closer scrutiny in the future due to the attitudes and regulations of the Government Media Convention.

(Photo: Polestar)

The Media Accreditation and Management Commission (MAC) has evaluated infotainment systems from various car manufacturers. The technology used by Audi and BMW/Mini is classified as user interface; “Tesla Media Player”, however, as a media platform, as ZAK announced on April 2, 2024.

This means that developers must at least comply with requirements that guarantee a wide range of media. “A large number of offers does not make for diversity,” says ZAK. “Therefore, media law regulations are applied to ensure that media releases can be accessed.”

Radio, television-like broadcasting and mass media must be accessible through user interfaces and, with the same content, must be as easy to access as possible, provided they make a specific contribution to the diversity of opinions and offers in Germany. Translated, car manufacturers must provide easy access to public broadcasting and private broadcasting through the infotainment system. The offer may not be hidden anywhere.

What is a media platform?

As a media platform, the Tesla media player must be “within the technical capacity of a maximum of one-third of the total capacity available for the distribution of television programs” for programs funded by statutory contributions nationwide as well as for programs of three. of public broadcasting, including those accompanying programs Services are available.

Public broadcasters’ programs (radio and television programs) must be given a certain amount of space in Tesla’s infotainment system. At the same time, the OEM must disclose to service providers and regulatory bodies how this is implemented. However, a media player may be downgraded to a user interface if the provider proves that subsequent implementation is technically impossible or only possible with disproportionate effort.

The topic is always interesting and it is very interesting to see how the car manufacturers react to the decision of the ZAK media law. “With advertising, car manufacturers accept their responsibility to implement a variety of media in the car. We assume and will strongly demand that other car manufacturers will soon follow suit,” says Thorsten Schmiege, coordinator of the Technical Committee for Infrastructure and Innovation , hopefully.

Government media contract

… regulates the coordination and harmonization of media management in Germany and came into force in 2020. The agreement is intended to ensure that media diversity and quality are maintained in Germany while providing modern regulatory approaches to the changing media landscape. information. For example, it regulates the responsibilities of state media authorities regarding broadcasting and television, especially regarding the protection of minors, dissent, advertisements and competitions. And it takes into account the changed system conditions caused by digitization and the emergence of new media platforms.

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By April 15, 2021

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