Self-driving cars have become more common on the road; a change that tech companies hope will eliminate some of the biggest dangers associated with driving. Most automobiles come equipped with sensors and features that get us where we need to be, keep us safe, and even entertain us. Eventually, all cars on the road will know the locations of other cars and be in constant wireless communication with each other.

Advanced technology provides some important safety and convenience uses. They help drivers avoid high-traffic areas, detect problems with the engine and other features, avoid collisions, and get to where they are going quickly and safely.

Although modern features have made driving safer and more convenient, these advancements come with potential privacy concerns. Automobiles have long had GPS that can pinpoint your location and driving habits, even when the GPS is not engaged. Today’s automobiles go further, collecting massive amounts of data through their many computers, processes and networks. Cameras now do much more than tell you when you are too close to someone’s bumper. Some automobiles come equipped with cameras that face inside the cabin.  

Most cars today are also able to fully integrate with your smart phone via Bluetooth. This is convenient for playing music, making calls, and utilizing maps; however, connecting your smart device means leaving all types of data vulnerable to misuse.  Once your data is transferred to the automobile’s system, the same privacy protections are no longer in place. So, for example, if you’re using a rental car or you sell a car you own, a stranger could later access all your contacts through the car, even after you disconnect. It’s important to think about what happens to all the data that these devices are collecting. Many car manufacturers only mention the information they gather and store through connected cars buried in long user agreements or user manuals that few people ever read. And sometimes, they can remotely collect information on your driving habits using services you’re not even subscribed to.  Auto companies are not the only ones who may have access to this data. A number of entities, including advertisers, insurance companies, and law enforcement, may be able to utilize this data as well.  

Types of data that may be collected include:       

• Location
• Driving habits
• Images from cameras and radar
• Voice commands
• Phone contacts
• Text/phone messages
• Search history

But privacy is only half the issue. Connecting cars can potentially impact safety, too. Professional hackers have shown that it’s possible to take complete control of some brands of cars—brakes, lights, and all— even as they’re driving, using a laptop miles away. The good news is you probably don’t have to worry about anyone hacking into your car right now. The technique took years to develop and prompted an almost immediate recall by car manufacturers.

Without a Federal law mandating how data is collected and used by automakers and related industries, there is no immediate solution to the problem of data privacy and automobiles. However, there are some small steps you can take to help control how your data is collected:

• Turn off  your system’s car play features
• Remove your phone from the automobile’s list of available devices (especially before returning a rental car)
• Check your automobile’s privacy settings if available.
• Check with your vehicle's manufacturer for more information.
• Review your vehicle's owner manual to learn about connectivity features