Vehicles Caught Sharing Driver Data with Big Tech Firms

A recent study by researchers from Northeastern University and Consumer Reports has shed light on a concerning trend in the automotive industry.

The research team tested 21 vehicles and 30 companion apps, finding that 28 of those apps sent data to at least one outside advertising or analytics company. Seven apps shared personally identifiable information such as names, vehicle identification numbers, or precise locations.

Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft were among the recipients of driver data, with some vehicles sending data to up to seven different companies. The Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer, Lucid Air, and both Tesla models tested sent data to the most outside firms.

The study's findings raise questions about consumer privacy in the automotive industry. As one co-author noted, 'buyers cannot currently purchase a new car that does not track them.' This means that drivers may be unwittingly sharing sensitive information with third-party companies.