Data Privacy Concerns Rise Within Connected-Car Industry

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

As more vehicles come with infotainment systems mounted in the dashboard console, consumers are beginning to face the issue of losing privacy behind the driver’s seat.

The Detroit News reports data from a vehicle so equipped is collected every time the ignition is turned, from where one fills up their tank and stomach, to how fast one drives and their preference for doing so. While the data goes back to the automaker in question, there are few security measures as to who all is allowed to view — and use — the data for their own needs. Strategy Analytics associate director Roger Lanctot explains:

(Your car’s) presumably tracking you all the time. Somewhere along the way we need to have a better understanding because right now, the reason why it feels like the Wild West is that it’s so open. You’re basically letting the carmaker gather whatever data it wants and share it with whoever, including marketing partners and law enforcement.

His concerns were voiced during the keynote speech before attendees of this year’s Telematics Detroit 2014 in Novi, Mich. as part of a day devoted to privacy and security with automotive infotainment and diagnostics technology. Though the focus comes in light of knowledge of the National Security Agency’s overreaching hand upon U.S. citizens, a survey found some of the attendees weren’t too concerned over what their car tells anyone else. Others, however, were more worried about their car pulling a GLaDOS on the highway in traffic.

Lanctot believes consumers will have “a privacy button” in their vehicles down the road, which would at the very least provide transparency on who exactly sees the information in any given vehicle. The feature would, in turn, empower the consumer with control on their information and instill trust with the automaker at the other end of the signal.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Fatalexception04 Fatalexception04 on Jun 06, 2014

    Between this and facebook now activating the microphone on your phone to listen in we are losing all of our privacy. What's the alternative in the future? Buy older cars that have no nannies or tracking devices? You can't turn to government for help or regulation. They are the worst perpetrators of our invasion of privacy.

    • See 2 previous
    • Scwmcan Scwmcan on Jun 06, 2014

      Well you can always uninstall the Facebook app from your phone, you don't have to be connected all the time, if you choose to be connected you are giving permission to have your privacy compromised. You need to be aware of what being connected costs you and disable anything that you are incomparable with ( please note I am aware that some things are monitored anyway, but you always have the option to disconnect from the information highway, one way or another)

  • Wmba Wmba on Jun 06, 2014

    How is the data transmitted? By cell or satellite? I don't know, which is why I ask.

    • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on Jun 06, 2014

      I don't know either but in terms of absolute geographical coverage, satellites (in plural) would be the optimal solution. Having said that, satellite transmissions can be impaired during heavy weather conditions. So cell towers have an advantage there. Eventually, the system that will predominate is the one with the lowest operating cost. Once that these transmissions are standardized, it will be a matter of time before someone markets a jammer. Likewise, it will be a matter of time somebody else makes a jammer sniffer, such that police can stop you for interfering with matters of National Security.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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