Connected Cars Explained: What They Do and Privacy Risks

Car Owl

Published in English •

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Summary

• Connected cars share data: Your driving habits, location, and more may be collected.
• Convenience vs privacy: Features like remote start come with data trade-offs.
• You have some control: Many systems let you opt out of data sharing.

Modern cars are becoming computers on wheels. They can connect to the internet, update software, and share data with manufacturers. But what does this mean for your privacy?

What Is a Connected Car?

A connected car has built-in internet connectivity. This enables features like:

• Over-the-air updates: Software improvements without visiting a dealer
• Remote control: Lock, unlock, and start via smartphone
• Live traffic: Real-time navigation updates
• Emergency services: Automatic crash notification
• Diagnostics: Remote vehicle health monitoring

What Data Is Collected?

Connected cars can collect a surprising amount of data:

Location Data

• Where you drive
• Where you park
• Your daily routes
• How often you use the car

Driving Behaviour

• Speed and acceleration
• Braking patterns
• Cornering forces
• Time of day you drive

Vehicle Data

• Mileage and fuel consumption
• Service needs
• Error codes and faults
• Tyre pressures

Personal Data

• Phone contacts (if synced)
• Call history
• Media preferences
• Voice commands

Who Gets Your Data?

Your car data may be shared with:

• Manufacturers: For product improvement and marketing
• Dealers: For service reminders and sales
• Insurers: If you have telematics insurance
• Emergency services: In case of accidents
• Third-party apps: If you grant permission
• Law enforcement: With proper legal authority

Privacy Concerns

Location Tracking

Your car knows everywhere you go. This data could reveal:

• Where you work and live
• Who you visit
• Medical appointments
• Religious or political activities

Insurance Implications

Driving data can affect your insurance:

• Telematics policies directly use this data
• Future policies might too
• Data breaches could expose your habits

Data Security

Connected systems can be vulnerable:

• Hacking risks
• Data breaches
• Unauthorised access

Your Rights Under UK Law

You have rights under UK GDPR:

• Right to know: What data is collected about you
• Right to access: Request a copy of your data
• Right to erasure: Ask for data to be deleted
• Right to object: Stop certain data processing

Manufacturers must tell you what they collect and why.

How to Protect Your Privacy

Check Privacy Settings

Most connected cars have privacy options:

• Review settings in the infotainment system
• Check the manufacturer's app settings
• Look for "data sharing" or "privacy" options

Opt Out Where Possible

• Decline non-essential data sharing
• Turn off location services when not needed
• Don't sync unnecessary devices

Before Selling

• Factory reset the infotainment system
• Remove your phone pairing
• Delete saved locations and contacts
• Remove the car from your manufacturer account

Buying a Connected Car

Questions to ask:

• What data does the car collect?
• Who is it shared with?
• Can I opt out?
• How is data protected?
• What happens when I sell the car?

The Future of Connected Cars

Connectivity will only increase:

• 5G: Faster, more reliable connections
• V2X: Cars talking to infrastructure and each other
• Subscriptions: Features unlocked via software
• Autonomous driving: Requires constant data sharing

Privacy concerns will grow alongside these developments.

For more on car technology, see our guide to autonomous driving and connected cars.

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