If your car connects to the internet, what personal data could it be sharing – and even selling? A new report on Australia’s 15 most popular car brands reveals these privacy concerns.

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.

  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    10 days ago

    Eh, my phone is reasonably unlikely to spy on me. I use GrapheneOS with location off, no Google Play services most of the time (I have a separate profile for that BS), and the only app with location access is Organic Maps. My carrier could rat on me, but I don’t think Google could.

    But I have a smart watch (Pixel 2), but at least it’s WiFi only so it can only rat on me when I get home. So I guess there’s that.

      • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        10 days ago

        I wonder if this applies to MVNOs, or if their data is somehow aggregated. I haven’t used a major carrier for over a decade.

        That said, I can’t really do anything about the carrier because I’d like to continue receiving calls and getting mobile data. So I’ll cut down as much as I can, and to me that means cutting out Google.

        I’ve considered switching to a VOIP service and running everything over a VPN (doesn’t help with location, but cuts everything else out), but I haven’t found one that’s reliable. I need:

        • SMS/MMS
        • reliable wake when receiving calls/texts
        • reasonable voice quality

        Bonus points if I can receive calls on my computer (I’d also love to switch to a Linux phone). If I can find that, I’ll switch.

      • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        10 days ago

        Yup, but not by Google, at least not directly.

        The problem is I want to be able to receive calls and texts while out and about. My next step is to try switching to a VOIP service and only get 2FA codes on my carrier number. That doesn’t stop location tracking from cell towers, but it does reduce how much they know about me, and it makes it easier to switch later (i.e. if making and receiving calls on my computers are good enough).

        Privacy is a process, and it’s an unfortunately frustrating one as companies sell out their customers more and more.

      • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        10 days ago

        It’s not, but it’s a step in the right direction. Here are some additional steps I’m planning on:

        • switch to VOIP - nice extra feature is being able to call and text from my PC
        • VPN for all data - carrier can’t see DNS anymore
        • slowly move friends and family to alternatives to SMS and phone calls

        It’s a process and I’ll probably never be finished, but each step is satisfying.

        • Infomatics90@lemmy.caEnglish
          1·
          10 days ago

          I was thinking about VOIP, VPN as well, and none of my friends or family would use Facebook or whatsapp

          • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            10 days ago

            I don’t use Facebook or WhatsApp, so that’s not an issue, but we do use SMS quite a bit, so I need something that handles that. That’s an easier problem to solve than Facebook/WhatsApp, so I’m pretty happy about that.

                • Infomatics90@lemmy.caEnglish
                  2·
                  7 days ago

                  Anytime i bring up any chat application that is privacy friendly i get told i need to “stop watching conspiracy theories”

                  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                    1·
                    7 days ago

                    So, they’re not even willing to give it a try? Why? Because it’s associated w/ privacy? How is that in any way a bad thing?

                    I’d understand it if it was missing some features, and depending on what features they’re missing, maybe you can find an app that provides those.