Modern cars are surveillance devices on wheels with major privacy risks – new report
Modern cars are surveillance devices on wheels with major privacy risks – new report
If your car connects to the internet, what personal data could it be sharing – and even selling? A new report on Australia’s 15 most popular car brands reveals these privacy concerns.
New research reveals serious privacy flaws in the data practices of new internet connected cars in Australia. It’s yet another reason why we need urgent reform of privacy laws.
Modern cars are increasingly equipped with internet-enabled features. Your “connected car” might automatically detect an accident and call emergency services, or send a notification if a child is left in the back seat.
But connected cars are also sophisticated surveillance devices. The data they collect can create a highly revealing picture of each driver. If this data is misused, it can result in privacy and security threats.
A report published today analysed the privacy terms from 15 of the most popular new car brands that sell connected cars in Australia.
This analysis uncovered concerning practices. There are enormous obstacles for consumers who want to find and understand the privacy terms. Some brands also make inaccurate claims that certain information is not “personal information”, implying the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to that data.
Some companies are also repurposing personal information for “marketing” or “research”, and sharing data with third parties.
My cars are not modern enough for that, but I always carry a surveillance device in my pocket to make up for it.
At least that one has an off button
Oh, does it?
Eh, my phone is reasonably unlikely to spy on me. I use GrapheneOS with location off, no Google Play services most of the time (I have a separate profile for that BS), and the only app with location access is Organic Maps. My carrier could rat on me, but I don't think Google could.
But I have a smart watch (Pixel 2), but at least it's WiFi only so it can only rat on me when I get home. So I guess there's that.
Your carrier HAS ratted on you. Under the incoming US administration, I've little doubt they will again.
If your phone is connected to the cell network, then you can be tracked.
Anything of note that Mozilla didn't already cover? https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/
You gotta love that there are benchmark for that… The company that can’t even get free, right.
I really like their Amazon reviews thing that they bought… I bet the shady dude that had all the fucking people finder sites was in charge of that cause it’s got the same kind of fucking cheesy-graphic-load-screen… basically, the only functional piece of software they had at that point cause they hadn’t touched it, and then they went an AIed it up…
Here’s a new idea, why doesn’t everybody in the fediverse post their favorite privacy enhanced Firefox rebrand:
I'm really confused by your comment and it seems like you're assuming everyone knows what you're talking about already. Could you provide some context?
What about "Free" are they getting wrong? (I'm assuming you're talking about Mozilla here?).
What Amazon reviews thing? Who was this "shady dude", what did he do that was so "shady", and how does that relate to Some Amazon review thing if you're not even sure that he was behind it to begin with?
What does "Aled it up" mean?
It shouldnt just be called a privacy risk. Its a safety risk because it enables stalking with little to zero effort on the stalkers side.
If this data is misusedWhen this data is misused
Modern cars have been privacy invading for a while. Goes back to the ownership torch thing again. Tesla can disable your car if they want. Why pay so much up front if you're not in control? Old vehicles are the way to go.
How would you even know about any of this stuff? I am not fortunate enough to afford a new vehicle but I imagine when you're at the dealer they're not like "so these cameras will watch you all the time... For safety and security, of course..."
I like the time they implied it would somehow protect people from sexual assault, but just ended up just revealing how personal the data they have can be
So how can I disconnect my car from the internet?
In general, don't allow it to connect to wifi. As for specific makes/models that might have their own uplink, look into disconnecting antennas.
My next vehicle is going to be fully mechanical with a carburetor and no computerized bullshit.
Just get an early OBD 2 car with no internet access and you are good or get an EFI kit for an old car as well. Carbs suck.
a well tuned carb will outperform an EFI system
for about two hours. 🤣
EFI is dynamic and adjusts the system as needed. However, a carb can be fixed with almost anything. I have a feeling that some of the older parts for EFI vehicles will be bought by major manufacturers and trashed/over priced to improve new vehicle sales and long term data collection goals. almost exactly how GM parts are today.
I'm really hoping Aptera is successful. Their main selling point is "solar mobility" basically, they designed a hyper-efficient car that looks sort of odd because efficiency is the main design factors. They hope to gain meaningful charge from solar panels on the vehicle because it's so efficient. They're thinking like 50 miles a day in someplace like California.
But they've also committed to being open with their vehicle and architecture by providing first-party spare parts and supporting open source stuff like open pilot.
If they keep on their consumer-friendly path, I'm hopeful for my data privacy if I get a future car from them
I did.
I had a 2012 mazda 5, everything completely mechanically sound. Immobilizer failure killed the ECU and 3 different electronics specialist, and 2 dealers couldn't get it working.
I bought a 1963 Ranchero (170ci inline six). You'd be amazed how cheap and widely available pretty much ALL the parts for old Fords are too.
It also cost me less than half of a new Corolla.
Teslas shitty cameras actually ally based