Automakers love to wow us with the latest infotainment systems, but it’s not just to get more cars moving. The personal data these apps collect is a great source of extra income for car companies.
Stellantis, the Dutch conglomerate that owns brands such as Ram, Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler, collects so much data that it recently Another company to sell it.
That’s certainly true of the mobile surveillance states these companies have built into the vehicles they sell, though the overuse of the word “Orwellian” has blunted its power.
It’s not alone. If your vehicle has any connectivity features, you may have inadvertently consented to all sorts of data being tracked, from your location and heading to your speed. Not to mention the possibility of in-vehicle audio recording.
Dealers do not sign these contracts. No one will hand you any documents and verify that you understand what you are agreeing to before you click “Confirm.” When you buy a car and try to use one of the integrated services, such as built-in apps, radio, maps, Wi-Fi, self-driving features, or phone connectivity, a screen pops up asking you to accept terms. Service of.
Most of us simply click “yes” without scrolling through tons of legal jargon. Those who get past the fine print essentially receive the following message: Once you’re in a car, you become a highly lucrative data source for car companies and their partners.
You can opt out! If you know how. Some services are automatically activated if you do not withdraw your consent within a certain period of time (usually about a week). Again, this information is buried deep in the fine print.
What about Apple CarPlay? I have much more confidence in Apple’s information protection than I do in SiriusXM, which has partnered with Guardian, a startup that no one knows much about. These companies want people to think it’s part of their satellite radio service, but it has nothing to do with satellite radio. You can still get wireless service by calling SiriusXM without this additional security service, but most people don’t know that.
Android Auto and Google-based devices are even worse for protecting your privacy. On computers, consumers can protect their information using the browsers Brave or Duck Duck Go. At least for now, there are no such options on the road.
That’s certainly true of the mobile surveillance states these companies have built into the vehicles they sell, although the overuse of the word “Orwellian” has blunted its power.
Volvo claimed in its quarterly earnings call last month that data collection would be one of its main sources of revenue. The company maintains a competitive advantage with a greater ability to monitor driver activity through more powerful computers, cameras, microphones and other sensors.
Second, GM’s OnStar system is extremely adept at monitoring anything and everything about you.
GM’s Global B The architecture (standard on the C8 Corvette and most new Cadillacs) constantly uploads your information, allowing GM to monitor or disable your vehicle. In the event of a collision, the GM receives data on speed, braking, reaction time, and the location of other vehicles. This is ostensibly to protect GM from lawsuits, but this information can also be accessed by insurance companies and the government.
GM runs AI analysis on thousands of traffic violation datasets to show how self-driving (Super Cruise) and autonomous driver assistance software features can make cars safer.
No, this cannot be turned off. It’s for your own benefit.
However, you can see what exactly the car knows about you.US-based Privacy4Cars offers free Vehicle Privacy Report Based on the car’s VIN.
In the near future, we may see people arrested, charged, convicted, and sent to prison based solely on evidence from vehicle surveillance. Until that happens, most consumers will be content to give up their privacy in exchange for some convenience.
