Is your car collecting data about you?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342041)
Rockingham, Australia
October 10, 2024 9:04pm CST
The photo has nothing to do with the text.
Two news items have caught my attention recently and both to do with privacy issues. The first was that popular car brands are collecting and sharing driver data. Microphones, sensors and other features have led to modern cars being dubbed ‘smartphones on wheels’.
Out of the ten most popular brands, seven were able to track driver date and driving habits. Vaguely worded privacy policies enabled these manufacturers to sell the data to third parties.
The three most concerning brands were Hyundai, Kia and Tesla. The first two, which share the same parent company, also collect voice-recognition data and sell it to Credence, an artificial intelligence (AI) software training company.
Tesla collects short images and videos from both inside and outside their vehicles. All this is a bit worrying but I’m not sure what ordinary citizens can do about it.
23 people like this
20 responses
@snowy22315 (182140)
• United States
11 Oct
Not my car, but I have a driving app that is supposed to give me a discount
4 people like this
@kaylachan (71734)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Oct
There's nothing you can really do. When you buy a car, you're doing it with the understanding that data will need to be collected in order for the car to work in your best interest. Most people don't realize this. That when they sign on that dotted line, they are agreeing to a lot of things. Which may include use and distribution of data that is collected for you.
Privacy and security, no w days are a well-crafted illussion designed to make us feel a sense of control.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38671)
•
11 Oct
I drive a Hyundai. I think if it's tracking my data or any information, it will mark me down in it's little book of records as being rather boring. I try to follow the driving laws and limits, I don't swerve or drive crazy, and I have patterns to where I go. If anything, the car would think I was nuts, all the trips I make to haul my son to the treatment center, hospital, etc. I am not going to worry about it at this point, if it wants to know about me, it already does.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342041)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Oct
@MarieCoyle I'm sure that's very true. I have another post about something a bit similar which is also scary.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38671)
•
11 Oct
@JudyEv
There are more than likely many ways that data on us is collected, probably more ways than we realize.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137706)
• India
12 Oct
Another source is Apps. Every single App before being downloaded will ask for data on you. I never donwload Apps
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108071)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Oct
Big brother is everywhere now. My truck is dumb but I have my phone with me most times so they can still track me if they want to
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80708)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Oct
I have not had a car for ages, I used to drive a Hyundai Excel,
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19585)
• London, England
11 Oct
I heard about the Tesla one where the HQ staff were sharing photos from inside the cars. I also heard that many makes are secretly using GPS devices that send back data to the manufacturers. All a bit worrying as I am sure the consent for this to happen is hidden in the contract small print
1 person likes this
@Beestring (14692)
• Hong Kong
11 Oct
Very nice picture.
With the advancement of technology, we do not have much privacy left.
2 people like this
@somewitch (1417)
•
11 Oct
I don't have a car so that doesn't concern me, but my father has a Tesla and yeah, he's a little frustrated at the fact he's constantly being watched. 
Yet, if he complies with the law he shouldn't worry about it. 
Yet, if he complies with the law he shouldn't worry about it. 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342041)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Oct
@somewitch Although it's funny, it's also a worry that the car could do that.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (1417)
•
11 Oct
@JudyEv Right, they let him know but clearly didn't ask for permission.
He thought he turned off the interior camera once but later the car caught him using his phone while the autopilot was on.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90433)
• Arvada, Colorado
11 Oct
I don't have a car but when I walk past some of them, I am sure they are.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342041)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Oct
I guess more and more technology gets added to these newer models.
@LindaOHio (181645)
• United States
11 Oct
Surely there is something we can do about this. Tesla does not surprise me. Big Brother is watching and listening to you. Have a great day.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (4152)
• Northampton, England
11 Oct
pretty much everything is collecting data
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342041)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Oct
Yes, that's true. There is no way getting away from it.
@RevivedWarrior (2485)
• India
11 Oct
Unfortunately any car which can access internet and have smart connectivity , have high probability to collect our data and analyse. The initial idea was to collect the driver data and analyse how the car is being used by the user with respect to his or her demographics. However, it can be misused and there are instances they are misused to suit things with help of artificial intelligence. Most people do not care about these as they just want to have fun riding the car . However, there are challenges that needs to be accepted by manufacturers with our sensitive data . Well, hopefully government regulations may come into picture to help!
