'Modern Cars A Privacy Nightmare': Mozilla Finds Top Manufacturers Sharing Personal User Data

A recent Mozilla study unveiled that a staggering 84 per cent of car manufacturers openly acknowledged sharing users' personal data with a range of entities.

Alarmingly, 92 per cent of the car brands scrutinised in the study provided users with minimal control over their personal data.

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In a recent study released on Wednesday, it has been revealed that major automobile manufacturers, renowned for their global popularity, are embroiled in a significant data privacy controversy. As the world witnesses an increasing digital transformation within the automotive industry, the findings of this study conducted by the California-based Mozilla Foundation raise concerns over the collection and sale of personal information by car brands.

The study, which assessed 25 prominent car manufacturers, discovered that none of them managed to fully adhere to the rigorous privacy standards set by Mozilla, as reported by AFP. Astonishingly, no other product category, including creators of intimate items like sex toys or mental health apps, had previously received such a damning evaluation.

Mozilla, widely recognised for its privacy-focused Firefox web browser, emphasised the paradox of the modern automobile industry. Despite carmakers proudly promoting their vehicles as "computers on wheels," the study suggests that "Modern cars are a privacy nightmare." This sentiment underscores the covert transformation of cars into data-centric machines, a shift that has largely gone unnoticed by the general public.

Tesla ranked as the most egregious violator of data privacy, followed closely by Nissan, which was singled out for its pursuit of data in what was described as "creepiest categories," including aspects related to sexual activity.

Startlingly, the study unveiled that a staggering 84 per cent of car manufacturers openly acknowledged sharing users' personal data with a range of entities, including service providers, data brokers, and undisclosed businesses. Furthermore, 76 per cent admitted to selling their customers' data, with more than half indicating a willingness to share data with government and law enforcement upon request.

Today's interconnected vehicles not only collect data related to driving but also extend their reach into in-vehicle entertainment and third-party functionalities, such as satellite radio and navigation systems.

Alarmingly, 92 per cent of the car brands scrutinised in the study provided users with minimal control over their personal data. The only exceptions were France's Renault and its subsidiary brand Dacia, which allowed users the right to delete their data, likely driven by compliance requirements under European Union law.

Adding to the concerns, Mozilla voiced its disappointment that none of the evaluated car brands, including household names like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Volkswagen, and BMW, could confirm their compliance with the foundation's minimum security standards. This scepticism arises despite the fact that 68 per cent of these car brands had experienced data leaks, hacks, or breaches within the last three years, underscoring the pressing need for improved data security within the industry.