Real-Time Risk: The Privacy Implications of Connected Vehicle Data
- Davies Parker
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Introduction
Vehicles have transformed from a simple mode of transportation into another interconnected device in the 21st century. Modern vehicles have been compared to smartphones or computers, which are always online, always tracking, and always sharing information and personal data. From GPS navigation to voice assistants and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, connected vehicles generate massive amounts of personal and behavioural data. The convenience is undeniable, but so are the concerns: who owns this data? Who can access it? And what rights does the driver of the connected vehicle actually have over it?
As we cruise into this increasingly connected era, the spotlight is firmly on data privacy, particularly in countries where regulatory frameworks are catching up. And with tech companies, automakers, and even governments in the mix, the question of data privacy isn’t just theoretical, it’s urgent.
What Data Are We Talking About?
When you hear “vehicle data,” it does not simply refer to maps and mileage. The depth and granularity of the data points collected is staggering. It includes:
Telematics data: GPS location, route history, vehicle speed, and braking habits.
Driver behaviour analytics: How fast you accelerate, how often you brake hard, or whether you tend to speed.
In-vehicle media and communications: Calls, messages, media preferences, and even voice recordings.
Biometric identifiers: Facial recognition for unlocking, fingerprint-based ignition, or fatigue monitoring.
Vehicle diagnostics: Engine performance, tyre pressure, fuel consumption, battery health (in EVs), and more.
Third-party integrations: If you sync your phone or use in-car apps, your contact lists, calendar, and app data may be harvested as well.
This amount of data collected is alarming on its own but the real concerns arise when this data is sent to cloud servers, shared with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), insurance companies, marketing platforms, or even law enforcement.
Why Should This Worry You?
The primary concern isn’t just the amount of data, but who controls it and how transparent that relationship is with the individuals whose personal data is being collected and shared. Unlike using an app or a website where there’s a clear “accept cookies” or “terms and conditions” banner, car owners and users often have no idea what’s being collected under the hood.
The French data protection authority CNIL, in its compliance guide on connected vehicles, puts it plainly: vehicles should be designed to process as much data as possible locally (within the vehicle) and only transmit it externally with informed user consent. But that’s not how most systems are set up today.
According to a study by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), drivers typically lack access to the full list of third parties receiving their data. Furthermore, it was also noted that most users don’t even know if their vehicle is connected or what that implies for their privacy.
The Global Regulatory Landscape: Fragmented and Evolving
The changes in the automobile industry vis-à-vis the collection of large amounts of personal data have occurred primarily over the last decade and thus no clear regulations exist that tackle this issue solely. Oftentimes, regulatory authorities use existing data privacy laws to deal with issues arising from the collection, storage and sharing of said data.
United States: A Case of Voluntary Ethics over Binding Law
The U.S. does not have a single comprehensive federal data privacy law, especially not one tailored to vehicles. What exists instead is a patchwork of guidelines, mandates and State Level Laws such as:
Industry-led guidelines, such as the Consumer Privacy Protection Principles from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action under its general mandate to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices.
State-level laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).
These provide a great starting point. For instance, under CPRA, consumers have the right to know what personal data is collected, request deletion, and opt out of its sale. But enforcement is still largely reactive, and many automakers only offer compliance based on the consumer’s state, not as a uniform policy.
European Union: GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) remains the most comprehensive privacy law worldwide. It directly impacts connected vehicle ecosystems by:
Requiring explicit consent for processing personal data.
Enforcing data minimization and purpose limitation.
Granting individuals the right to access, correct, or erase their data.
Mandating Privacy by Design and by Default in Vehicle Architecture.
CNIL’s guidance supplements this by emphasizing localized data processing, limiting third-party access, and ensuring user control via in-car interfaces.
The EU also mandates that automakers disclose whether vehicle data is used for marketing, insurance profiling, or resale, giving users actionable rights in real time.
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