Study Issues Warning: Connected Cars Put Personal Data at Risk
Is your ride synced to your smartphone? Does your car boast a state-of-the-art infotainment system? Enjoy these innovative features with caution. A 2015 study by the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Privacy Association has raised privacy concerns about intelligent cars.
Today, vehicle technology is quickly advancing, but the technology isn’t about just speed or power. Automakers are trying to perfect the connected car: a car that uses electronics, Internet access, and data streaming to make driving easier and more luxurious.
But according to B.C.’s study, this technology is collecting a lot of personal information about drivers. For example, navigation systems record where your car currently is and where your car has been. Other devices measure the way you drive and send this information to outside networks.
The Toronto Star says this customer data is gathered for insurers and advertisers. More and more insurers are giving their policyholders a chance to earn cheaper premiums with telematics. In the future, advertisers may be able to detect when your gas tank is low and then suggest a specific gas station.
However, the B.C. study claims that automakers are not giving their consumers enough information about how their personal data is being collected and used. The study asks for more regulations to protect consumer data. Right now, authorities worry that personal data intended for insurers and the like can be intercepted by malicious parties such as thieves or stalkers.
The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association assures the public that vehicles are not recording mounds of personal data. It also insists that automakers are following current regulations.
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