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OnStar Smart Driver
Automobile Car Data Cyber Security Data Brokers data misuse Data Privacy Data Safety Data Stolen EFF GPS OnStar Smart Driver

The Hidden Cost of Connected Cars: Your Driving Data and Insurance

 

Driving to a weekend getaway or a doctor's appointment leaves more than just a memory; it leaves a data trail. Modern cars equipped with internet capabilities, GPS tracking, or services like OnStar, capture your driving history. This data is not just stored—it can be sold to your insurance company. A recent report highlighted how ordinary driving activities generate a data footprint that can be sold to insurers. These data collections often occur through "safe driving" programs installed in your vehicle or connected car apps. Real-time tracking usually begins when you download an app or agree to terms on your car's dashboard screen. 

Car technology has evolved significantly since General Motors introduced OnStar in 1996. From mobile data enhancing navigation to telematics in the 2010s, today’s cars are more connected than ever. This connectivity offers benefits like emergency alerts, maintenance notifications, and software updates. By 2030, it's predicted that over 95% of new cars will have some form of internet connectivity. Manufacturers like General Motors, Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi offer services that collect and share your driving data with insurance companies. Insurers purchase this data to analyze your driving habits, influencing your "risk score" and potentially increasing your premiums. 

One example is the OnStar Smart Driver program, which collects data and sends it to manufacturers who then sell it to data brokers. These brokers resell the data to various buyers, including insurance companies. Following a critical report, General Motors announced it would stop sharing data with these brokers. Consumers often unknowingly consent to this data collection. Salespeople at dealerships may enroll customers without clear consent, motivated by bonuses. The lengthy and complex “terms and conditions” disclosures further obscure the process, making it hard for consumers to understand what they're agreeing to. Even diligent readers struggle to grasp the full extent of data collection. 

This situation leaves consumers under constant surveillance, with their driving data monetized without their explicit consent. This extends beyond driving, impacting various aspects of daily life. To address these privacy concerns, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) advocates for comprehensive data privacy legislation with strong data minimization rules and clear, opt-in consent requirements. Such legislation would ensure that only necessary data is collected to provide requested services. For example, while location data might be needed for emergency assistance, additional data should not be collected or sold. 

Consumers need to be aware of how their data is processed and have control over it. Opt-in consent rules are crucial, requiring companies to obtain informed and voluntary permission before processing any data. This consent must be clear and not hidden in lengthy, jargon-filled terms. Currently, consumers often do not control or even know who accesses their data. This lack of transparency and control highlights the need for stronger privacy protections. By enforcing opt-in consent and data minimization, we can better safeguard personal data and maintain privacy.
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Technology
AI technology Autonomous-Car Technology Car Data Data Sharing Smart Cars Technology

Driving into Tomorrow: The AI powered Car Takeover

 


In the next decade, a tech-driven revolution is set to transform our roads as 95% of vehicles become AI-powered connected cars. These smart vehicles, while promising enhanced safety and convenience, come with a catch—each generating a whopping 25 gigabytes of data per hour. Come along as we take a closer look at the information these cars gather, helping you drive into the future with a better understanding and confidence. 

In a recent study of over 2,000 car owners in the US, Salesforce research uncovered a surprising finding: most drivers need to be fully aware of what a 'connected car' is and what data it gathers. This highlights an opportunity for car makers to better explain the connected car experience and their data usage policies, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. 

LG takes the stage at CES 2024 in the tech spotlight, introducing exciting AI-driven products. Looking ahead, it's expected that 95% of vehicles on the road will be connected cars by 2030, each generating a hefty 25 gigabytes of data per hour – equivalent to streaming music for 578 hours. This data boom not only transforms the driving landscape but also offers car manufacturers a chance to guide us through this era of technological change. 

Over 65% of drivers admit to being unfamiliar with the term 'connected car,' and more surprisingly, 37% have never heard it before. However, when explained, connected features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration, gaming, video streaming, and driver assist features are ranked almost as important as the brand of the car itself. 

The Need for Awareness

Despite the tech era, over 60% of drivers don't use popular apps such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for tasks like making calls or streaming music. This highlights a need for increased awareness about the advantages of connected cars. 

Willingness to Pay for Advanced Features 

Looking to their next vehicle purchase, 43% of drivers prioritise paying a premium for driver assist features, 33% for touchscreens, and 31% for smartphone integration. This shows a growing demand for advanced tech features in today's vehicles. 

Balancing Data Sharing

A significant 68% of drivers believe automotive companies should collect personal data, but only 5% are okay with unrestricted collection. A majority (63%) prefers data collection on an opt-in basis, showcasing a delicate balance between benefits and privacy concerns. 

Data Trading for Benefits 

Drivers are open to sharing personal data for valuable benefits. As many as 67% are willing to trade data for better insurance rates, 43% for advanced driver personalization, and 36% for enhanced safety features. 

Comfort Levels in Data Sharing 

While about a third of drivers are comfortable with data on seatbelt usage (35%), driving speed (34%), and location and route history (31%), less than a fifth are okay with more invasive data collection, such as voice recordings (17%), biometrics (13%), and text messages or voice recording data (12%). This emphasises the importance of respecting privacy boundaries amidst emerging technicalities. 

The automotive industry is on the brink of a transformation with innovations in connected cars taking the lead. At CES 2024, Qualcomm, collaborating with industry leaders, introduced a groundbreaking platform set to provide connected services throughout a vehicle's entire 20-year lifespan. Qualcomm is at the forefront, enriching customer experiences through personalised in-vehicle services. By securely tapping into user data stored within the vehicle, this approach offers tailored benefits like real-time alerts, personalised offers, proactive maintenance, and on-demand feature upgrades, taking the driving experience to new heights. 

As we journey forward, the road of connected cars holds even more exciting prospects. Anticipate ongoing advancements that not only redefine your time behind the wheel but also contribute to a safer, more interconnected driving community.


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Vehicle Privacy
Car Data Car manufacturers Modern Vehicles Navigation Privacy Privacy4Cars Vehicle Privacy

All You Need to Know About the ‘Vehicle Privacy Report’


You might already know that your car knows a lot about you, be it the recent location you have checked in to, your phone contacts, and with today’s modern designs, even your emails and texts. Cars could record your travel updates, or the number of presses on the accelerator or your seatbelt settings along with your biometric information.

While this might seem to be an innovative approach for a much easier ride, there exist some murky paths the data could be sold to, such as the Dark Web or other illicit marketplaces.

Vehicle Privacy Report

Privacy4Cars, a US-based automotive firm recently introduced a tool, Vehicle Privacy Report, that tells a car’s owner how much data is piled up in their cars. This is similar to the features in Apple and Google’s ‘privacy labels for apps’ that indicate how Facebook may use a user’s camera or location.

According to Privacy4Cars founder, Andrea Amico, people have a meager understanding in regards to the data their cars are capable of collecting and that the “level of detail and transparency varies” depending on the manufacturer. On the basis of this, the aforementioned tool has ranked most of modern automobiles as “smartphones on wheels,” since they could hoard large amounts of data and wirelessly permeate the information to manufacturers.

The Vehicle Privacy Report assigns privacy labels that fall into two categories: what a manufacturer collects (such as identifiers, biometrics, location, data from synced phones, and user profiles) and to whom a manufacturer sells or shares data (affiliates, service providers, insurance companies, governments, and data brokers). Most forms of data are probably gathered for the vast majority of automobiles and trucks that have been issued in the last few years.

The tool operates using a vehicle’s Identification Number (VIN) to assess each car’s manufacturer’s public policy document.

The documents may include corresponding car policies, privacy statements, and terms of service. Due to the fact that they are subject to the same regulations as other vehicles in the brand's portfolio, recent models from a manufacturer often acquire the same data. In general, when a legal request is made, all manufacturers will give information to the government or law enforcement.

These lengthy documents are frequently technical legal paperwork, which might be complex and contain nuances. They also describe the purposes for data collection, such as product development and market research, or personalization of advertising. For instance, in order for mapping and satellite navigation services to function, one must enter their location information. Additionally, not all information that is claimed to be collected may be gathered automatically; for example, the driver may need to turn on specific settings. In some circumstances, it may also be able to choose not to have information collected.

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