At least eight U.S. automakers have backed away from voluntary privacy agreements and agreed to hand over personal customer information to the government and police, sparking calls for investigations.
According to Automotive News, 19 automakers voluntarily signed onto the Consumer Privacy Principles in 2014, which require U.S. government agencies (including police) to obtain a warrant or court order to access customer location data.
But after eight automakers were found to have misled customers about providing driver data to police, U.S. lawmakers are now questioning whether automakers can be held liable for breaking user privacy promises.
So who is giving your information to others? Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Kia will hand over the data if subpoenaed, violating the standards they signed up to, creating yet another smokescreen when it comes to your privacy.
these Car companies are following the agreements they signed: General Motors, Honda, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla all require a warrant to obtain location data, except in emergency cases or when customer consent has been obtained. Tesla is also the only brand that notifies customers of legal requirements.
This has not only raised concerns about privacy promises that automakers have so far not kept, but also led two U.S. senators to call for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the companies.
“Not only did auto manufacturers fail to inform consumers about their actual practices, but several companies failed to respect the industry’s own voluntary privacy principles and misled consumers for over a decade,” Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) said in a letter to the FTC.
“Vehicle location data can be used to identify Americans who have traveled to seek abortions in other states, who have participated in protests, who have attended alcohol, drug or other addiction support groups, or who hold particular religious beliefs as manifested through visits to places of worship.”
Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Kia all defended their practices, but the Coalition for Automotive Innovation, an auto industry lobbying group, argued that government agencies only request location information if there is a clear danger to an individual.
“Vehicle location information is only provided to law enforcement under certain limited circumstances, such as when an automaker receives a warrant or court order or when there is an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death to an individual,” an AAI spokesperson told Automotive News.
The calls for automakers to investigate their data-sharing habits come after General Motors ended partnerships with two major data brokers following accusations they shared information without drivers’ consent.
In March, The New York Times ran an in-depth investigation into a Chevy Volt owner who was offered dramatically higher insurance renewal rates after it was discovered his driving data had been sold to insurance companies by data broker LexisNexis.
Following this Second ReportDetails of a class action lawsuit filed by Cadillac XT6 owners who claim they were denied insurance because their LexisNexis driving records were provided to seven companies without their knowledge.
Both vehicles were equipped with OnStar, GM’s connected services brand that collects data used by LexisNexis.
Following the report, General Motors subsequently The partnership ended It has partnered with both LexisNexis and Verisk, a similar company that also sells driving data to insurance companies.
According to The New York Times, an internal document circulated within General Motors said that as of 2022, more than 8 million vehicles will be actively providing data through OnStar’s Smart Driver program.
Here’s how to find out what your car reveals about you.
- See what data your car can collect With this tool.
- If you use a connected car app, check to see if it’s enrolled in one of these programs.
- Search online for “privacy request form” along with the name of your car’s manufacturer. It should tell you how to request the information your car company has about you.
- Request a LexisNexis Report.
- Request a Verisk Report.
Remember, you own your data, not these companies. Just because they made the software doesn’t mean they have control over what happens to your information. The problem is, you give up ownership when you use the system. Be aware of opt-out options, and support government legislation that protects your privacy.
