Consumer Reports investigation says automakers may be tracking and selling your data
SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - If anyone bought a car in the last five years, they might be sharing more than just the road as the new car of their isn't just tracking their mileage.
A new Consumer Reports investigation reveals that nearly every major automaker in the U.S. is collecting so-called "driver behavior data." Everything from how hard you brake to how fast you accelerate.
"We pored through thousands of pages of automakers' privacy policies and questioned 15 major car companies selling vehicles in the United States," said Derek Kravitz, a Consumer Reports investigative reporter.
Kravitz says automakers gather this information, often without drivers fully understanding what they've agreed to: "Most drivers simply click 'agree' on privacy forms when setting up their car's infotainment system, unknowingly giving permission for their data to be collected and shared."
Many automakers say they get your consent before sharing data-and only pass it to trusted partners. But when consumer reports asked them to name these companies, nearly all refused to say who.
"We found that your driving data often ends up with insurance companies and lenders who can use it to determine premiums and loan terms. This creates what experts call a 'driver score' similar to a credit score," Kravitz added.
There is a way to take control of your data. Most automakers allow consumers to submit requests to limit data sharing or delete their information completely.
Often, you can complete an online form on the automaker's website or change privacy settings through your car's connected mobile app.
But there's often a trade-off as opting out could mean losing access to features like roadside assistance, crash detection, or remote door locking.
Bottom line: Taking just a few minutes to check your privacy options could keep your driving habits from becoming someone else's profit.
In 2020, California became the first state to require companies to let their customers opt out of having their data collected, shared, and sold. Since then, 15 other states have followed California's lead, enacting similar privacy laws and three more have laws set to go into effect next year.
A good reminder to make sure to read privacy forms carefully.
