Cars and Data Privacy: Your car knows more than you think
WORDS BY ANTONINA JOSON
Cars and data privacy are becoming a hot topic, as vehicles are becoming smarter than ever. They’ re capable of scanning their surroundings, warning you of nearby objects, and even driving themselves! But since they are so smart, they’ re also watching and listening to you too.
Data privacy and security is becoming an increasingly alarming issue in the automotive industry. Just as social media websites have alarmed users and governments of privacy breaches, vehicle manufacturers are on fire for the same thing. Unbeknownst to drivers around the world, these companies are collecting their sensitive information and possibly selling them to third parties too.
How does this all work? Read on to find out. YOUR DATA, YOUR CAR
The smarter your car is, the more it is capable of collecting your data. A car is just as capable of tracking your data as your phone and applications are. Worse, there’ s even a possibility that your car could be selling your information. But which part of your car is tracking and siphoning your data from you?
A car’ s AI features, built-in sensors, touch-screen devices, microphones and cameras are able to record your actions, even if you’ re just sitting there. As these devices collect your information, they’ re uploaded to the car’ s computer then brought back to the car company and its data management partner to be stored.
If you didn’ t think collecting your personal information was bad, the foundation revealed that cars also collect data on your surroundings. Again, a car’ s sensors are one of its biggest avenues of data collection. While it is helpful for your vehicle to tell you if something is too close, it is also learning about the outer environment. Current road conditions, the weather, and traffic signs are just a few examples of what your outer sensors are collecting information about.
The Mozilla Foundation is an America-based organisation that reviews various brands and
12 ISSUE 54 AUGUST 2025 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU