Smart cars are a phenomenon that has been around for a while. According to Precedence Research, the global market size of connected cars was estimated at $33.73 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $136.11 billion by 2032. The smart car market is projected to grow at an impressive CAGR of 15.5% between 2023 and 2032.
While there are pros of smart cars, experts have now started to voice their concerns about the automobile tracking every aspect of the drive. At the same time, privacy policies remain obscure and unregulated. From tracking the vehicle’s movements to the entertainment system that keeps a tab on your personal preferences, pictures, messages, and even locations, a lot happens when the car is on the road.
Almost 95% of cars today have a built-in EDR or Event data recorder, also called the black box, that steadily collects your data without you being completely aware. Remember, this data is not encrypted and mainly accumulates without your consent.
So, is there a way out? In a tech-savvy ecosystem, there are multiple ways to protect yourself from this infringement on your private data, according to ExpressVPN.
Ways to Avoid Being Tracked By Your Smart Car
1. Privacy4Cars®
The only tech company in the world, Privacy4Cars® is the perfect solution for data privacy issues in the automotive sector. The company has a patented suite of innovative services to help safeguard the confidential information of individuals and companies related to their digital footprint in their vehicles.
With a mission focused on ‘Driving Privacy,’ Privacy4Cars® helps users traverse the complicated space of local and global data security and privacy compliances. Solutions include:
- Personal data deletion.
- Easy-to-use Privacy4Cars App.
- Certified warranties
- Sophisticated record management
- Research in the vehicle privacy space
2. Use a VPN
Using Virtual Private Networks can help protect your confidential data effectively. When you connect to the WiFi hotspot of your car using such protection, your data exchange happens in an encrypted manner through a secure tunnel. Thus, the data is in a failsafe environment that cannot be hacked or compromised. Consider it an investment worth the money because it is an additional layer of security that blocks off prying eyes from looking at your confidential information.
3. Stick to the Classic Non-Connected Models
Whether you love driving a luxury car or an SUV, you can always drive the non-connected car models from these brands. Without Bluetooth and internet connectivity, no hacking scenario can occur. While data privacy will still be an issue as you use digital gadgets, your car will at least not serve as a potential risk to personal data surveillance.
4. Open-source Solutions
Many car manufacturing companies like Range Rover offer open-source solutions. Open-source operating systems give more control to the owners and, hence, more power to comply with data privacy. Open-source platforms help automakers overcome hardware and software challenges that the technological advancement in the industry is expected to generate. After all, open-source technologies offer scalability and flexibility to manufacturing companies while ensuring data privacy for car owners.
5. Handle Your Social Media Intelligently
Car owners take to social media to share news about their ultra-luxury cars, which is not harmful. However, you must be extra cautious about the information you share on social media. News about grand trips, the car’s location, details about people traveling in the car, etc., can catch the attention of a potential hacker, giving chances for fraudulent activities. If such details need to be passed on to your loved ones, using platforms like WhatsApp that come with end-to-end encryption is best.
6. Beware of Advertisements
Read the contract carefully when you purchase the car. Many times, there are clauses related to advertisements, especially personalized ones. Once you say yes, you are likely to be on the target list of marketing companies, and thus, the chances of your personal data getting compromised are higher. Similarly, you can choose opt-out options regarding behavioral advertising, thereby giving minimal access to your confidential data to outsiders.
Conclusion
With connected cars becoming a trend that’s catching up fast, there’s a need to make stringent data privacy regulations by lawmakers. But as long as that does not happen and even after, the car owner can take the steps mentioned here to ensure that their data always stays protected.