As vehicle technology advances, modern cars are increasingly equipped with internet connectivity, voice assistants, sensors, and onboard computers. These features provide convenience like real-time navigation, emergency assistance, and smartphone integration but they also enable continuous data collection.
In most cases, this data goes far beyond mechanical diagnostics. Automakers and third-party service providers now collect, process, and sometimes share personal information about drivers and passengers. These practices raise significant privacy concerns, especially when consumers are unaware of what’s being gathered, how it’s being used, or who it’s being shared with.
The following sections outline the types of data commonly collected, how it is used, the limitations of user control, and what steps individuals can take to reduce unwanted data sharing.
Data Collected by Vehicles
Common types of data collected include:
- Location and movement: GPS coordinates, driving routes, and travel history
- Behavioral metrics: Speed, braking patterns, seatbelt use
- Biometric inputs: Voice commands, facial recognition, and in some reports, indicators of physical or emotional state
- Device data: Contacts, call logs, and messages from connected phones
A 2023 investigation by the Mozilla Foundation reviewed 25 major auto brands and concluded that none met basic privacy or security standards.
Source: “Cars are the worst product category we have ever reviewed for privacy,” Mozilla says – The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/6/23861047/car-user-privacy-report-mozilla-foundation-data-collection
Use and Distribution of Data
Collected data may be:
- Shared with insurance companies, advertisers, or data brokers
- Used internally by automakers for analytics and product development
- Disclosed to law enforcement under certain conditions
In early 2025, the Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint against General Motors and OnStar regarding their data-sharing practices with insurers, specifically involving real-time driving behavior and location data.
Source: FTC Takes Action Against General Motors for Sharing Drivers’ Precise Location and Driving Behavior Data with Insurance Companies – Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-takes-action-against-general-motors-sharing-drivers-precise-location-driving-behavior-data
Limitations on Consent and Control
Consumers often encounter the following limitations:
- Default data collection is enabled in many vehicles
- Privacy agreements are often lengthy and difficult to interpret
- Access to collected data is restricted or unavailable in many cases
The Mozilla Foundation report indicated that 84% of automakers share user data with third parties, and 92% offer limited to no user control.
Source: “Cars are the worst product category we have ever reviewed for privacy,” Mozilla says – The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/6/23861047/car-user-privacy-report-mozilla-foundation-data-collection
Options Available to Consumers
To reduce data collection, individuals may:
- Avoid syncing personal devices unless necessary
- Review and adjust vehicle and app-level privacy settings
- Decline app permissions when appropriate
- Monitor updates to the manufacturer’s privacy policy
Consumer Reports outlines steps drivers can take to reduce or block data collection.
Source: How to Stop Your Car From Collecting and Sharing Your Driving Data – Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/personal-information/how-to-stop-your-car-from-collecting-sharing-driving-data-a1233378612
For more information, check out this YouTube video: