How much personal data is in my car and what can I do about it?
Modern cars collect vast amounts of personal data, including location, contacts, payment info, and biometrics, with 25 major brands failing privacy standards according to Mozilla’s 2023 report. Car manufacturers like BMW, Ford, and Tesla gather sensitive details like health and genetic data, often sharing or selling it to third parties, raising concerns over security and misuse.
Modern vehicles function as data collection hubs, gathering information through infotainment systems, sensors, and connected devices. The data harvested includes location history, navigation logs, synced phone contacts, call logs, payment details, and biometric inputs like facial expressions and weight, as required by new safety rules monitoring driver alertness. According to Mozilla Foundation’s 2023 *Privacy Not Included* report, all 25 major car brands—including BMW, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, Kia, and Subaru—received failing grades for consumer privacy, collecting deeply personal data such as sexual activity, immigration status, and genetic information. The data is collected via cameras, microphones, telematics, and connected apps, but Mozilla researchers found no evidence that all brands encrypt this information. Car manufacturers have historically sought to monetize this data, similar to tech giants like Facebook. While explicit examples of misuse remain rare, security breaches have occurred: Volkswagen exposed data from 800,000 electric vehicle owners in 2024, and General Motors settled a $12.75 million lawsuit in California for illegally selling location and driving data to data brokers. Even drivers who rely solely on their phones for navigation or media still leave behind personal data, as cars log interactions through connected devices. The lack of transparency and encryption raises concerns about how this data could be exploited. Mozilla’s findings highlight a broader industry trend where consumer privacy in automotive technology remains critically underprotected. Regulatory gaps and inconsistent privacy policies exacerbate the issue, with brands often contradicting their stated commitments. For instance, GM’s privacy policy claimed it would not sell driving or location data, yet it did so without proper disclosure. Experts warn that without stronger safeguards, the risks of data leaks or misuse will continue to grow as cars become more connected.
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