Is Your Car Spying on You? Here’s How the Car Privacy Rights Act Could Protect Your Data
Did you know your car might be spying on you? Not just for government agencies, but for automakers and insurance companies eager to cash in on your personal information. Enter the Car Privacy Rights Act—a new piece of legislation designed to protect your privacy in the digital age. In fact, your vehicle could know more about your life than your best friend does.
The Car: Your Trusty Data-Harvesting Machine
For many of us, cars are essential—taking us to work, the store, or weekend getaways. But, as U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley warns, your vehicle has also become a mobile data-harvesting machine. Merkley’s proposed Car Privacy Rights Act aims to put a stop to automakers’ unchecked data collection, ensuring that drivers know exactly what information is being gathered and shared—and with whom.
What Data Are Automakers Collecting?
It’s not just about your location. Automakers are collecting driving habits, biometrics, and even voice recognition data. That car playing your favorite music might also be listening to your conversations. For example, Honda gathers location data within a radius of 1,850 feet, and Tesla employees were caught sharing footage of a child being hit by a car. This level of surveillance would make even Orwell cringe.
The Car Privacy Rights Act: What It Means for You
The premise behind the Car Privacy Rights Act is simple: carmakers need to get your explicit consent before they sell or share your data. Currently, automakers are selling your information without you even knowing it. The new legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren, aims to change that by giving drivers the right to opt out of data collection altogether.
But that’s not all. If you ever change your mind, the law will require automakers to provide an easy way to revoke your consent. You can opt out of data sharing through their website or even by sending a letter.
Exceptions for Road Safety
The Car Privacy Rights Act doesn’t ban all data sharing. Automakers can still share data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but only after full disclosure. Car manufacturers and insurers will also need to report their data practices annually to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which will then summarize these reports for Congress.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The timing of this legislation couldn’t be better. A recent review by the Mozilla Foundation of 25 car manufacturers found that every single one raised privacy concerns. A staggering 84% of these companies sell or share data, and many don’t even wait for a court order before handing your information over to law enforcement.
Some companies, like GM, have shared data from 10 million cars with now-defunct data brokers. Meanwhile, another broker, High Mobility, has partnered with over a third of the companies reviewed by Mozilla. These are not isolated incidents—they’re part of the industry norm.
Consumers Want Control Over Their Data
Drivers aren’t happy with this invasion of privacy. According to a survey by Jerry, 96% of drivers want complete control over the data generated by their cars, and nearly 80% are uncomfortable with the extent of data collection.
The Future of Car Data and Privacy
The Car Privacy Rights Act is arriving at a critical moment. As cars become smarter, the balance between convenience and privacy is becoming harder to maintain. Automakers argue that data collection improves driving experiences, but they’ve crossed the line into monetizing your movements.
With Verisk recently announcing plans to halt its Driver Behavior Data History Report by May 2024, the industry might already be bracing for change.
So next time you get behind the wheel, remember that your car could be watching. But if this legislation passes, you’ll finally have the power to control what it sees.
