Nissan, Kia ‘collect data about drivers’ sexual activity’

Your car may be more than just a vehicle. It may also be a spy that collects and shares data on your sexual activity and sex life, according to a study by Mozilla Foundation.

The evaluation, which assessed the privacy practices of 24 widely used connected devices, assigned failing grades to Nissan and Kia. These two car manufacturers explicitly mention in their privacy policies that they have the ability to collect and utilize sensitive personal information, including sexual orientation, health diagnosis, and genetic data.

“This invasive harvesting of information is collected via a web of sensors, microphones, cameras and the phones, apps, and connected services you use in your vehicle,” according to Mozilla Foundation.

The Mozilla research suggests that six car companies can collect intimate information, including a driver’s medical information and genetic information. How fast a person drives, where they drive to and the songs they listen to in their car were also included.

The data collection is enabled by the cars’ infotainment systems, which can access the drivers’ phone contacts, messages, location history, and online accounts. The cars can also monitor the drivers’ behavior, such as speed, braking, steering, and seatbelt usage.

The data collection is not transparent or consensual, as the drivers are not informed or given a choice about what data is collected and how it is used. The data may be sold or shared to third-party advertisers, who can use it to target ads based on the drivers’ personal preferences and interests.

“There’s a lot of ambiguity around how car companies collect these data points, and that is the problem,” Kevin Zawacki, a spokesperson for Mozilla Foundation, told The Post.

“It’s nearly impossible for consumers to really know how all their data is collected.”

Zawacki said that Mozilla Foundation reached out to Nissan for specifics on how it collects data. Nissan didn’t respond, according to Zawacki.

Kia, the Korean auto giant, also acknowledged on its web site that it collects “sensitive personal information” such as “racial or ethnic origin,” “religious or philosophical beliefs,” “health, sex life or sexual orientation information,” and “genetic data.”

In a statement to The Post, a Kia spokesperson stated that while they do collect certain types of personal information, including ‘sensitive personal information’ as defined by the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), they do not collect all types of personal or sensitive personal information, as mentioned in their privacy policy.

“Whether certain information is collected by us depends on the context in which a consumer interacts with us,” the Kia spokesperson said.

“To clarify, Kia does not and has never collected “sex life or sexual orientation” information from vehicles or consumers in the context of providing the Kia Connect Services.”

Data collection presents significant risks to the privacy, security, and civil liberties of drivers, as it can be exploited for discrimination, surveillance, or hacking. Such data has the potential to unveil extensive details about drivers’ personal lives, habits, preferences, and behavior.

“Cars are not just machines that transport us from point A to point B. They are also extensions of our identity and personality. And they should respect our privacy and autonomy. We should have the right to control what data our cars collect and who they share it with,” said Cory Doctorow, science fiction writer and activist.

Relevant articles:

• Nissan, Kia ‘collect data about drivers’ sexual activity’, New York Post, Sep. 6, 2023
• Cars collect extensive personal data on drivers, study warns, The Guardian, Sep. 6, 2023
• Cars have the worst data privacy practices Mozilla has ever seen, The Verge, Sep. 6, 2023
• Every New Car Is a ‘Privacy Nightmare,’ Mozilla Researchers Conclude, VICE, Sep. 6, 2023

Originally published at https://trendydigests.com on September 7, 2023.

I am a tech writer for Trendy Digests, a website that provides insightful and informative content in various fields. I write about topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and more. You can follow me on TrendyDigests.com to read more of my articles and learn more about me.