Modern Cars Raise Privacy Concerns: Are They Spying on You?

Modern cars are increasingly equipped with technology that raises serious data privacy concerns. According to the Seattle Times, while these vehicles enhance safety and convenience—tracking your location through satellite navigation and monitoring your driving habits—they also collect vast amounts of personal information.

The Mozilla Foundation's 2023 analysis of 25 auto brands found that cars were the worst product category for privacy practices. Data collected ranges from basic interactions, like steering wheel movements, to information from telematics systems, onboard cameras, and connected services.

This data can be shared with insurers and marketing companies without drivers' explicit consent, as highlighted by the Federal Trade Commission's action against General Motors earlier this year for improperly sharing driver data.

Experts advise drivers to become aware of the data their vehicles collect, suggesting they review manuals and use resources like Privacy4Cars, which summarizes automaker data practices based on a vehicle’s identification number.

Drivers have some control over data sharing through their vehicle settings; for instance, manufacturers like Toyota and Ford allow users to opt out of certain data collections through dashboard menus. However, opting out may result in losing access to some convenience features, such as navigation services or roadside assistance.

Furthermore, consumers are encouraged to exercise their rights under state privacy laws to limit how their data is used or to request its deletion. Before selling or trading in a vehicle, it's crucial to perform a factory reset to erase personal data and notify the manufacturer about the change of ownership to prevent unwanted associations with insurance records.

Overall, while modern vehicles offer advanced functionalities, the implications for privacy and data security cannot be overlooked.