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This image from BMW reveals the 2025 BMW X3, showcasing its sporty performance, cutting-edge technology, and generous space for passengers and cargo.
Imagine you’re on your way to check out a new restaurant. Your car’s navigation system guides you, while onboard cameras keep an eye on your face and where you’re looking. If another vehicle unexpectedly swerves into your lane, sensors help you brake in time. And when you reach a stoplight and you unbuckle your seatbelt to fish for your sunglasses, the car notices that too.
Today’s vehicles function like advanced computers on wheels, equipped with connectivity that brings forth exciting features aimed at enhancing driving safety and convenience. However, this also means these systems gather vast amounts of data about our driving behaviors and other personal details, which raises some valid privacy concerns.
So, what should you know about how your car gathers information about you and how to limit it?
The extent of data collection in modern cars is somewhat unclear, according to an analysis by the Mozilla Foundation, which evaluated privacy practices of 25 auto brands in 2023. They concluded that cars rank as the least privacy-friendly products they’ve reviewed.
The data collected includes your everyday interactions, like steering or unlocking the doors, as well as information from connected services—think satellite radio, GPS navigation, and various sensors or cameras.
Telematics systems that monitor vehicle data have become more widespread in the last decade, but the real data collection boom kicked off about five years ago.
The real issue isn’t just the data collection itself, but rather who gets access to this data—like insurers, marketing firms, and those less transparent data brokers. This concern was highlighted earlier in the year when General Motors faced a five-year ban on sharing data with consumer reporting agencies.
The Federal Trade Commission found GM had failed to obtain proper consent before sharing data that tracked instances of speeding or late-night driving, which insurance companies then used to influence rates.
It’s crucial for drivers to understand what information their vehicles collect, advises Andrea Amico, founder of Privacy4Cars.
In an ideal situation, you’d look through your car’s manual and ask your dealer about what data is being gathered. But that’s often not practical, and manufacturers can make it difficult to find out, not to mention that dealership staff may not always have the answers.
Privacy4Cars offers a free labeling service that summarizes what your car may be tracking, available at vehicleprivacyreport.com. Owners can enter their Vehicle Identification Number to access details about the automaker’s data privacy practices—this includes whether location data is collected and if it’s shared with third parties.
Data collection begins the instant you drive a new car off the lot, often with unwitting consent when you encounter various warning menus on the dashboard.
Experts suggest you can adjust some settings to revoke consent, as certain data collection options can be modified within the menu.
According to Laura Hendry Parsons from Mozilla, “There are permissions in your settings that you can make choices about.”
For instance, Toyota users can decline “Master Data Consent” through the company app, while Ford vehicle owners can stop sharing data via their dashboard or FordPass app. BMW also allows privacy adjustments through its infotainment system.
In the U.S., drivers have the right to request limitations on how their data is used. Some car manufacturers enable owners across the nation to submit requests to restrict, opt out of, or delete their personal data.
You can make these requests through online forms or mobile apps. Privacy4Cars can streamline this process, guiding owners to their automaker’s request portal or filing on their behalf across various regions.
However, opting out often comes with drawbacks. Many individuals appreciate the convenience of satellite navigation over paper maps, suggesting they weigh the costs against the benefits of data collection.
Disabling location tracking could also hinder helpful features like roadside assistance or smartphone functionalities, such as remote door locking.
BMW notes that disabling data sharing would make the vehicle operate similarly to a smartphone in flight mode—essentially cutting off all data transmission.
When it comes time to sell or trade in your vehicle, the process is no longer just about handing over keys and filling out paperwork.
Experts recommend performing a factory reset on newer cars to erase all personal data, including any smartphone connections. It’s also important to notify the manufacturer of the change in ownership.
According to Amico, this step is vital. If you trade in your vehicle, you don’t want your insurance profile affected by someone else’s driving—someone you have no connection with.
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