New research reveals serious privacy flaws in the data practices of new internet connected cars in Australia. It’s yet another reason why we need urgent reform of privacy laws.
Modern cars are increasingly equipped with internet-enabled features. Your “connected car” might automatically detect an accident and call emergency services, or send a notification if a child is left in the back seat.
But connected cars are also sophisticated surveillance devices. The data they collect can create a highly revealing picture of each driver. If this data is misused, it can result in privacy and security threats.
A report published today analysed the privacy terms from 15 of the most popular new car brands that sell connected cars in Australia.
This analysis uncovered concerning practices. There are enormous obstacles for consumers who want to find and understand the privacy terms. Some brands also make inaccurate claims that certain information is not “personal information”, implying the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to that data.
Some companies are also repurposing personal information for “marketing” or “research”, and sharing data with third parties.
Modern cars have been privacy invading for a while. Goes back to the ownership torch thing again. Tesla can disable your car if they want. Why pay so much up front if you’re not in control? Old vehicles are the way to go.
How would you even know about any of this stuff? I am not fortunate enough to afford a new vehicle but I imagine when you’re at the dealer they’re not like “so these cameras will watch you all the time… For safety and security, of course…”
Anything of note that Mozilla didn’t already cover? https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/
You gotta love that there are benchmark for that… The company that can’t even get free, right.
I really like their Amazon reviews thing that they bought… I bet the shady dude that had all the fucking people finder sites was in charge of that cause it’s got the same kind of fucking cheesy-graphic-load-screen… basically, the only functional piece of software they had at that point cause they hadn’t touched it, and then they went an AIed it up…
Here’s a new idea, why doesn’t everybody in the fediverse post their favorite privacy enhanced Firefox rebrand:
I’m really confused by your comment and it seems like you’re assuming everyone knows what you’re talking about already. Could you provide some context?
What about “Free” are they getting wrong? (I’m assuming you’re talking about Mozilla here?).
What Amazon reviews thing? Who was this “shady dude”, what did he do that was so “shady”, and how does that relate to Some Amazon review thing if you’re not even sure that he was behind it to begin with?
What does “Aled it up” mean?
The Amazon reviews thing I assume is referring to Fakespot, which Mozilla bought some time ago.
But I’m confused about their “AI’ed it up” comment because from the very beginning Fakespot was using ML to determine the tone of reviews and whether or not they were lying about the product/paid reviews by the seller.
Mullvad
LibreWolf
My cars are not modern enough for that, but I always carry a surveillance device in my pocket to make up for it.
Great. Now I can’t jerk off in my car anymore!
