Most of us suspect that many of our devices are spying on us.
So we're talking about things like computers and phones.
But did you know your car actually is tracking you?
Our 13 investigates.
Reporter Sierra Putman talked with privacy experts and learn
that cars are one of the most intrusive possessions.
That
and Scott just today,
a US senator called on the federal government to investigate quote
invasive data privacy practices by all the makers and get this.
We found that you,
you agreed to have tons of your
information collected and you probably didn't even know
cars are a symbol of freedom and independence.
We use them every day, whether headed to work or taking a family trip.
It's an emotional connection. I love my car because it's a small SUV and I'm short
Candace Boyd Simmons
is a working mom and wife. Her Mazda CX nine is a constant companion.
We're in the car a lot.
She trusts her car to help her run errands and take her daughter to school but had
no idea how much information she was handing over when you were buying.
Did you even think about the privacy policy?
No, every car manufacturer has one or more. They're several pages long.
You may not be surprised.
They're collecting information about your speed and
breaking your behavior behind the wheel.
This is scary.
This is scary, but your car is also collecting details about your life at this point.
Do you think car companies are collecting too much of our data?
There is absolutely no doubt. Oh, I should have asked you where you wanna go.
Angie Raymond teaches business law and ethics at Indiana University.
She says the companies collect mountains of information and why not?
Because they don't, no one's paying attention. Data is big business trillions.
The data ecosystem is trillions of dollars without any question whatsoever.
Still, she admits it wasn't on her mind when she bought her Subaru.
Did you look at the privacy policy? No, and I'm a privacy person. Absolutely did not
this, it's not just a Mazda or Subaru issue but an industry wide concern.
You say they are your worst
that category that you've ever reviewed? Oh, by far, by far, Jin Colt
Rider is with the Mozilla Foundation,
a tech focused nonprofit that ranks products
based on privacy and security features.
It reviewed 25 car privacy policies.
We never had a category where we couldn't find something good
that we could recommend to somebody to choose over something bad.
Cult writer and Raymond say car manufacturers have multiple policies
that are confusing,
vague and allow for the collection of too much data including where you go,
what you like text messages and personal
information about your health and sex life.
No really. There it is.
In one Kia privacy policy, the company may collect data about users,
sex life or sexual orientation,
but that's not included in the Kia connect privacy policy.
Oh my gosh.
No. Why would you need to know that?
So we don't know how automakers collect all this information.
But experts tell us there are a few possibilities like when your phone is connected,
modern cars also have lots of sensors
and cameras like this. There are nine cameras including one inside.
There is like that watches you.
I think that's probably the biggest data privacy concern. Luke
Zang owns a Tesla
and likes its high tech features.
I work in tech as a data scientist, I don't see this as a car. I see it more as an adult
toy.
Unlike many other companies,
Tesla lets owners easily opt out of some data collection.
Zeng noticed choosing to opt out may have serious consequences.
They warn you if you turn it off,
this might result in your vehicle suffering from reduced functionality,
serious damage and possibly make the vehicle inoperable as a consumer.
I think when I
bought the car, I should have the right to
use all the functionality this car provided regardless of
what I choose to do with my data privacy.
After our conversation,
Zheng chose to let Tesla collect more of his data so that they can improve faster.
But that was his decision, an informed decision and he accepts the risks.
Are we worried about hackers?
Are we worried about other countries getting this information?
What could go wrong? But all of that
Raymond thinks companies should have to clearly explain
what they're collecting,
why and who they share it with a system that gives
consumers the keys so they control what happens with their information.
It's important to note all of this appears to be legal.
We reached out to the car companies and several tell
me they follow current law and would welcome additional consumer protections
that Congress would have to act. So what can we do to protect our data?
This is the tricky part, Scott.
You know,
the experts say you can just not connect your phone
or go back to driving an older unconnected car,
which many of us just aren't willing to do.
We've posted comments from major car makers on our
website as well as links to privacy policies.
Check for your company at Wt hr.com/thirteen investigates.