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Modern cars are surveillance devices on wheels with major privacy risks – new report (theconversation.com)

submitted 1 day ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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New research reveals serious privacy flaws in the data practices of new internet connected cars in Australia. It’s yet another reason why we need urgent reform of privacy laws.

Modern cars are increasingly equipped with internet-enabled features. Your “connected car” might automatically detect an accident and call emergency services, or send a notification if a child is left in the back seat.

But connected cars are also sophisticated surveillance devices. The data they collect can create a highly revealing picture of each driver. If this data is misused, it can result in privacy and security threats.

A report published today analysed the privacy terms from 15 of the most popular new car brands that sell connected cars in Australia.

This analysis uncovered concerning practices. There are enormous obstacles for consumers who want to find and understand the privacy terms. Some brands also make inaccurate claims that certain information is not “personal information”, implying the Privacy Act doesn’t apply to that data.

Some companies are also repurposing personal information for “marketing” or “research”, and sharing data with third parties.

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[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 4 points 16 hours ago (3 children)

Eh, my phone is reasonably unlikely to spy on me. I use GrapheneOS with location off, no Google Play services most of the time (I have a separate profile for that BS), and the only app with location access is Organic Maps. My carrier could rat on me, but I don't think Google could.

But I have a smart watch (Pixel 2), but at least it's WiFi only so it can only rat on me when I get home. So I guess there's that.

[–] SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world 6 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Your carrier HAS ratted on you. Under the incoming US administration, I've little doubt they will again.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 16 hours ago

I wonder if this applies to MVNOs, or if their data is somehow aggregated. I haven't used a major carrier for over a decade.

That said, I can't really do anything about the carrier because I'd like to continue receiving calls and getting mobile data. So I'll cut down as much as I can, and to me that means cutting out Google.

I've considered switching to a VOIP service and running everything over a VPN (doesn't help with location, but cuts everything else out), but I haven't found one that's reliable. I need:

SMS/MMS
reliable wake when receiving calls/texts
reasonable voice quality

Bonus points if I can receive calls on my computer (I'd also love to switch to a Linux phone). If I can find that, I'll switch.

[–] Infomatics90@lemmy.ca 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

sorry but that's no longer enough.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

It's not, but it's a step in the right direction. Here are some additional steps I'm planning on:

switch to VOIP - nice extra feature is being able to call and text from my PC
VPN for all data - carrier can't see DNS anymore
slowly move friends and family to alternatives to SMS and phone calls

It's a process and I'll probably never be finished, but each step is satisfying.

[–] Infomatics90@lemmy.ca 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

I was thinking about VOIP, VPN as well, and none of my friends or family would use Facebook or whatsapp

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 hours ago

I don't use Facebook or WhatsApp, so that's not an issue, but we do use SMS quite a bit, so I need something that handles that. That's an easier problem to solve than Facebook/WhatsApp, so I'm pretty happy about that.

[–] lunarul@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

If your phone is connected to the cell network, then you can be tracked.

https://youtu.be/wVyu7NB7W6Y

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 1 points 15 hours ago

Yup, but not by Google, at least not directly.

The problem is I want to be able to receive calls and texts while out and about. My next step is to try switching to a VOIP service and only get 2FA codes on my carrier number. That doesn't stop location tracking from cell towers, but it does reduce how much they know about me, and it makes it easier to switch later (i.e. if making and receiving calls on my computers are good enough).

Privacy is a process, and it's an unfortunately frustrating one as companies sell out their customers more and more.