Internet In Privacy Out? Connected Cars Could Become a Privacy Nightmare

I still remember when MG launched its first car in India, the MG Hector, back in 2019. It really felt quite futuristic to see a car with 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 boldly displayed on the tailgate and fender in such segment. Fast forward to today, 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 (𝑪𝑽) technology has become mainstream in India too, with platforms like Hyundai Bluelink, Kia Connect, MG i-SMART, Mahindra AdrenoX, Tata iRA etc.

They offer impressive features, including remote vehicle operations (like starting the engine or AC), geo-fencing, live location tracking, AI-driven voice assistance, SOS alerts, and over-the-air updates to keep vehicles secure and updated. As a car lover, these features always fascinate me.

Based on the data, the adoption of connected vehicles (CVs) in India has skyrocketed, with a remarkable 𝟓𝟒% 𝐘o𝐘 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 in Q1 2024. Guess I’m not the only one fascinated by these features :)

Moving on to the global context, it’s projected that 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎, 𝟗𝟔% 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.

No doubt, these advancements bring convenience and comfort, BUT there are serious concerns we as consumers might be neglecting. By overlooking these issues, we may be allowing car manufacturers to exploit us in ways we don’t fully understand.

According to 𝑀𝑜𝑧𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎’𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ published last year (link in the comments) on 25 major car brands worldwide, including Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, Jeep, etc, there are several findings which are super alarming, like:

- 𝟗𝟐% of the brands provide drivers with 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 over their personal data.
- 𝟖𝟒% admit they may share personal data with 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 we know little about.
- 𝟕𝟔% even state they might 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥 this data.

Additionally, they can also collect intimate details, ranging from medical and genetic information to driving habits. In the worst cases, such as with Nissan, according to their policies, they can even collect data on your sexual activity. This information is then used to infer other personal details, such as your intelligence, preferences, and interests.

As our day-to-day companions, our cars, are becoming more integrated into our lives, we should really start thinking about the 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 about our lives. Adding privacy to any system is generally seen as an “overhead” and when profits are the only focus, it often isn’t prioritized unless customers demand it.

So, as customers, it’s important to realize that it’s not just extra money we’re paying for these latest features, sometimes, it’s our 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐘 too.

Maybe not all of these challenges can be fully mitigated, but surely a lot can be done using Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) to help the cause, if intended. And most importantly demanded!