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Is Your Vehicle Collecting Your Data?

Modern cars are truly remarkable. Stepping into a newer model can feel like entering a spacecraft, especially if you remember the era when a cassette player was the epitome of automotive luxury. Today’s vehicles boast navigation systems, touchscreen interfaces, music streaming capabilities, roadside assistance, and even semi-autonomous driving features. They can alert you when you’re drifting from your lane, exceeding speed limits, or approaching obstacles.

However, alongside these conveniences comes a significant drawback: modern cars are also adept at gathering vast amounts of personal data, sharing it with a wide range of entities. In fact, automobiles have been labeled as one of the worst product categories in terms of privacy, a sobering statement in a world dominated by smartphones and smart TVs.

The Data Collection

If your car is relatively new, it likely functions as a sophisticated surveillance device. Equipped with microphones, cameras, and numerous sensors, these vehicles continuously collect data. Beyond internal sensors, apps integrated into the car’s interface and those on your paired smartphone (often connected via Bluetooth) further compromise privacy. This means car manufacturers can potentially access information such as your music preferences, conversations held inside the vehicle, and locations searched through mapping apps. Essentially, we unknowingly funnel vast amounts of private information to carmakers.

The Impact

This extensive data collection can directly affect your life in several ways. For example, General Motors was found transmitting driver information to Lexis Nexis, a data broker used by insurers to assess risk profiles. This data included trip dates, durations, distances traveled, and records of driving behaviors like hard braking and speeding. Insurers then used this information to adjust premiums, often without drivers’ awareness of what criteria were being used.

Despite public backlash, GM ceased direct transmission to Lexis Nexis but retains the data and the capability to share it elsewhere without consumer notification. Additionally, your driving habits and related data are sold to advertising partners, resulting in unnervingly targeted ads. Furthermore, car manufacturers may share your data with law enforcement without your explicit consent.

Navigating the Privacy Concerns

Given these privacy risks, it’s essential to take proactive steps:

  1. Request Reports: Contact companies like Lexis Nexis and Verisk for consumer disclosure reports detailing collected driving data. Websites like Vehicle Privacy Report can also provide insights into data collection practices associated with your vehicle’s VIN.
  2. Opt-Out: Review your vehicle’s interface settings for privacy and advertising options. Disable any features that raise privacy concerns. Similarly, explore and adjust settings within companion car apps on your smartphone.
  3. Contact the Manufacturer: Utilize manufacturer-specific web pages or customer service lines to opt out of data collection practices. Direct communication may yield clearer understanding and better options for privacy protection.
  4. Engage with Insurers: Inquire whether your insurer purchases driving data for risk assessment purposes. Consider switching to insurers committed to transparent practices regarding data use.

While vehicle data can serve legitimate purposes like diagnostics and emergency services, the lack of awareness about its collection and use poses significant risks. By taking these proactive measures, you can better protect your privacy and mitigate the potential consequences of widespread data sharing in the automotive industry.

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