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The time has finally come when cars have evolved into something more than just mechanical machines. These days, electric cars have become rolling computers that are always connected to the internet, mobile apps, and cloud platforms. Because of the integration of this kind of technology to modern vehicles, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are investing in them. After all, improvements are noticeable in all aspects—from safer navigation to smoother driving experiences.
However, it’s right to question whether this integration brings in digital risks. After all, these modern cars also collect personal data and information from their users. And since these cars are connected to the internet for most of the time, there is definitely a huge possibility of data leaks and breaches.
These days, more drivers are looking for ways to remove personal information from the internet and reduce their digital footprint. As awareness grows about how much data manufacturers collect, it has become more important than ever to understand what information your vehicle gathers. With this knowledge, you can make informed, privacy-conscious choices to better protect your personal information.
A lot of people might think that the only data that modern vehicles collect is mileage or fuel levels. While it’s true that this kind of data is gathered, does the data gathering process only stop here? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Modern cars these days also collect location data. With location data, it’s easy for anyone to figure out where a person is, where they frequently drive to, and what their travel habits are. Aside from location data, connected vehicles also collect driving behavior data. This can include acceleration patterns, braking intensity, steering inputs, and average speeds. While the reason as to why manufacturers gather this data is not malicious at all, it can become dangerous when it falls in the wrong hands.
But how exactly does data leak, anyway? The answer to this is when drivers sync their data online. Even the simple act of connecting infotainment systems can lead to a data breach. Once a data breach happens, malicious individuals can easily gather information such as contact lists, call logs, text metadata, music preferences, and app usage patterns. With this kind of information, it’s very easy to create a profile that matches a person’s habits and patterns and use it for malicious purposes.
Of course, car manufacturers by default are the primary recipients of connected vehicle data. They use the data for product development, diagnostics, and even software updates. However, there are instances where privacy policies allow data sharing with third-party partners.
For instance, insurance companies can access driving behavior data for insurance programs based on usage. The same kind of data can also be used by fleet operators so they can monitor safety and efficiency properly.
What people don’t realize is that a lot of car brands collect a lot of data without ever offering transparency over how data is shared. But now that more people are using modern cars, questions about data privacy and protection have become more pronounced than ever before.
Once data is shared beyond the manufacturer, there is a huge possibility that it would circulate through data brokers and online databases. Everything from location histories to connected app data can be used by brokers to create digital profiles that they can use for phishing attacks or other forms of scams.
Eventually, the information that these brokers have on you will show up in online databases. This is then the beginning of problems like phishing attempts via email or call, calls from unknown numbers, or even cases of stolen identity.
Being aware that these things can easily happen could be the starting point for promoting better digital hygiene. It’s a good thing that there are providers available like Incogni that help individuals request data brokers to remove their data online. This way, people will start to have more control of where their data is shared and how it is used. Sure, it’s not about erasing everything about you online. However, it’s a good starting point to clean up one’s digital footprint.
There is no denying that there will come a time when vehicles will be fully autonomous and become even more interconnected with smart cities. There is nothing that people can do to prevent what’s inevitable. People also can’t deny that these modern vehicles offer way more comfort and ease of use. However, people can make an effort to understand the implications of this innovation; especially in terms of their data and privacy.
Therefore, it’s up to individuals to take proactive steps to make sure that their data does not get compromised just because they put no mind to what kind of information their vehicles are collecting. Sure, there are data removal services. However, there is no denying that vigilance is a must; especially in a world that’s becoming increasingly digital each day and where connected vehicles are becoming the first choice for drivers almost everywhere.
