The Department of Justice is seeking from Apple, Google, Amazon, and Walmart the identities, addresses, and purchase histories of tens of thousands of EZ Lynk users who downloaded the Auto Agent app, as part of a case alleging EZ Lynk’s involvement in Clean Air Act violations.

Subpoenas were issued to Apple and Google in the spring to obtain user details, with prosecutors saying the data is needed to interview witnesses and build the case.

Walmart and Amazon were also subpoenaed to provide names and addresses of customers who bought EZ Lynk hardware.

The reporting places the move in a broader frame, citing EPA actions and even a presidential pardon related to diesel tuners, underscoring ongoing tension between enforcement and industry practices.

EZ Lynk previously argued for Section 230 immunity, a claim that a judge rejected last year, shaping the case’s legal backdrop.

EZ Lynk contends its product is not solely for evading emissions rules; the app and hardware can be used for other diagnostics and performance tweaks.

The device is marketed as an OBDII tool for diagnostics and fleet management, yet it is widely used to defeat emissions systems by reflashing engines after removing diesel particulate filters.

A 2025 ruling left EZ Lynk without Section 230 immunity, and litigation continues, illustrating growing government interest in app-store data for enforcement.

The government argues the data is fair to obtain and cites evidence, including forum posts showing users removing emissions controls.

Google and Apple are expected to challenge the subpoenas, and EZ Lynk has raised a claim about a prior 2019 request for a ‘backdoor’ to monitor users, which the government denies.

Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, question the rationale and potential uses of the data beyond this case, while EZ Lynk has framed the 2019 backdoor claim as part of the dispute, which the government denies.

The outcome will hinge on how narrowly the subpoenas are scoped and whether Apple complies with a properly limited request, with timelines awaiting further action.