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Cars collect massive amounts of driving and personal data

Big data collection is estimated to blossom into a trillion-dollar industry. Yet, there is no national data privacy law to protect consumers.

Cierra Putman (WTHR)

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Published: 7:00 PM MST February 28, 2024
Updated: 7:13 AM MST February 29, 2024

Automakers can collect and share mountains of information now that cars, trucks and SUVs have become more connected. 13 Investigates reviewed privacy policies from 14 car manufacturers and found companies are collecting information about users’ lives inside and outside their vehicle — including intimate details.

"Now they’re just gathering whatever they can,” said Angie Raymond, a professor of Business Law and Ethics at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “As much as they can, and why not? Because they know no one's paying attention."

13 Investigates consulted Raymond and other data privacy experts. They say it is time for a national conversation about more data protection for consumers and laws that would force companies to be more transparent about what they collect and why and allow consumers more control over their information.

Some automakers tell 13 Investigates they would be OK with additional regulation. For example, a spokesperson for General Motors sent the following statement to 13News:

“GM is supportive of ambitious, comprehensive federal privacy legislation to standardize consumer rights to access, delete, and correct information across the country, enhances consumer privacy protections, and fosters US competitiveness and innovation.”

Right now, automakers are required to disclose if they may collect information and provide a privacy policy or notice. Those policies notify consumers and customers what data is or may be collected and shared. However, many people never read the policies, which 13 Investigates found were often long, vague and not easy to read.

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