Your Car is a Data-Harvesting Machine
Modern cars are more than just vehicles—they are surveillance devices on wheels. From tracking your location to recording your voice, automakers are collecting massive amounts of personal data—often without your knowledge. If you own a connected vehicle, your personal data may already be at risk.
In this post, we’ll uncover 10 shocking ways your car is spying on you and what you can do to protect your privacy.
1. Your Car Tracks Your Location 24/7
Even if you never use GPS navigation, your car constantly records your location. It logs:
- Where you’ve been
- How long you stayed
- How often you visit certain places
Some cars also track your driving patterns, such as frequent routes and time of day you drive. This data can be shared with advertisers, law enforcement, or data brokers, making it a serious privacy concern.
How to stop it:
- Check your car’s privacy settings and disable location tracking.
- Avoid linking personal accounts (Google, Apple, etc.) to your car’s system.
- Use privacy filters on connected apps that interact with your vehicle.
Learn more about location tracking risks
2. Automakers Sell Your Driving Data
Car companies aren’t just in the business of selling cars—they’re selling data. Your vehicle collects detailed driving behavior, such as:
- Speed
- Hard braking
- Seatbelt usage
- Idle times
This information is often sold to third parties, including insurance companies (who may use it to raise your rates), advertisers (who use it to target ads), and data brokers (who package and resell it).
How to stop it:
- Opt out of data-sharing programs in your car’s settings (if available).
- Avoid telematics-based insurance policies that track your driving.
- Regularly review your car’s privacy policy to understand what’s being shared.
Read more about digital privacy threats
3. Your Car Listens to Your Conversations
Many modern vehicles have built-in microphones for voice commands. While this seems convenient, it poses a huge privacy risk. Some vehicles record and transmit audio to improve voice recognition technology or sell data to third parties.
How to stop it:
- Disable voice assistant features in your car.
- Cover built-in microphones when not in use.
- Be mindful of private conversations while inside your vehicle.
Learn how to protect your digital privacy
4. Your Car’s App Can Expose Your Private Info
Most new cars come with a smartphone app that allows you to remotely unlock doors, start the engine, or locate your car. However, these apps often collect:
- Personal details (name, email, phone number)
- Location history
- Driving habits
Hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in car apps, leading to remote access attacks where they steal or manipulate car data.
How to stop it:
- Use strong, unique passwords for car-related apps.
- Enable two-factor authentication if available.
- Avoid granting unnecessary permissions to third-party apps.
- Regularly update your car’s app to patch security vulnerabilities.
Read more about surveillance and personal data
5. Smart Cars Monitor Your Seatbelt and Speed
Newer vehicles use sensors to track how fast you drive, how hard you brake, and whether you wear a seatbelt. Automakers and insurance companies use this data to assess risk levels—and it can impact your insurance premiums.
Some auto insurance companies offer “discounts” for sharing this data, but it often results in higher rates for drivers deemed “risky.”
How to stop it:
- Decline participation in insurance programs that monitor driving habits.
- Check if your car allows disabling driving behavior tracking.
- Review your car’s settings to adjust data-sharing preferences.
Explore how surveillance affects daily life
6. Some Cars Scan Your Face and Eyes
Some vehicles now feature facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to monitor driver attention. While marketed as a safety feature, this raises concerns about biometric data collection.
Your face scans, eye movements, and alertness levels can be stored, analyzed, and potentially sold.
How to stop it:
- Disable in-car cameras where possible.
- Cover interior cameras with privacy stickers.
- Avoid vehicles that require facial scans for operation.
- Research car models before purchase to ensure privacy-friendly options.
Understand the risks of biometric data collection
7. Connected Cars Are Hackable
With more cars connected to the internet, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers can:
- Steal your personal data
- Unlock your car remotely
- Manipulate vehicle controls (brakes, steering, acceleration)
How to stop it:
- Keep your car’s software up to date.
- Use a Faraday bag for your key fob to block remote hacks.
- Disable unnecessary wireless features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
- Consult with a cybersecurity expert if your car has significant vulnerabilities.
How personal data is exploited
8. Your Car Stores Data Even After You Sell It
If you sell your car without wiping its system, you may leave behind:
- Saved contacts and call logs
- Emails and messages
- GPS history
- Connected app login details
Some buyers can access this information long after you’ve sold the car.
How to stop it:
- Perform a factory reset before selling your vehicle.
- Manually delete saved accounts and personal data.
- Remove external storage devices or SD cards.
- Check with your dealership for additional data-wiping options.
How personal data is exploited
9. Parking Assist and Sensors Can Record You
Many modern cars use cameras and sensors for parking assistance, lane-keeping, and crash avoidance. But some record and store footage—sometimes without notifying the driver.
Some vehicle owners have discovered old video recordings stored in their car’s system, posing a privacy risk.
How to stop it:
- Check your car’s settings for video storage options.
- Regularly clear camera storage, if possible.
- Avoid parking in sensitive locations when using smart parking features.
Privacy risks of smart devices
10. It’s Nearly Impossible to Opt Out Completely
Unlike smartphones, most modern vehicles don’t offer full privacy controls. Even if you disable certain tracking features, data collection still happens in the background.
The best ways to protect yourself:
- Buy a non-connected car (pre-2015 models are less invasive).
- Use OBD-II privacy devices to block data transmission.
- Advocate for stronger consumer data protection laws.
- Stay informed about changing privacy regulations in the automotive industry.
Final Thoughts: Your Car Shouldn’t Be a Surveillance Tool
The auto industry is transforming vehicles into mobile surveillance hubs, and most drivers have no idea.
The good news? There are ways to fight back.
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Want more privacy tips? Read more at ObsidianReflections.com