Trillions of miles of data: Your car is spying on you, and it's about to get worse

Modern cars act as data collection hubs, tracking everything from precise location and seatbelt use to facial expressions and weight, often without drivers realizing it. Automakers admit selling this data to insurers and third parties, with no transparency on who purchases it. A 2021 McKinsey report found 50% of cars on U.S. roads had internet connections, a figure expected to rise to 95% by 2030, further increasing privacy risks. Upcoming federal legislation will mandate infrared biometric cameras in vehicles to detect impaired driving, but it will also enable carmakers to gather new health and behavioral data. Experts warn this could allow insurers to raise premiums based on personal habits, while consumers remain largely unaware of how their data is used. Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that cars can reconstruct a driver’s life second-by-second, raising ethical concerns. While connected cars offer safety and convenience benefits, critics argue the lack of regulation leaves drivers vulnerable. Insurance companies already use driving data to adjust rates, and expanded biometric tracking could further erode privacy. The article highlights that most consumers have no idea their vehicles are collecting such intimate details, with automakers’ privacy policies buried in lengthy legal disclaimers. The shift toward fully connected vehicles is accelerating, with McKinsey predicting nearly all cars will be internet-enabled by 2030. This trend raises questions about who controls the data and how it will be monetized. Without stronger safeguards, drivers may face higher costs and greater surveillance without their consent.