My insurance agent requested our investigative assistance concerning an unusual issue and my findings were stunning. His rural client, who had an excellent driving record, was upset that her automobile rates spiked 22 percent. Upon contacting insurance brokers, he learned third parties mysteriously determined her speeding, braking, and driving exceeded safety standards. She was issued a troublesome-driver’s-insurance-score which increased her premiums. The client and agent wondered, How did unknown, distant outsiders know about her driving habits?
Let’s begin with exploding-artificial-intelligence (AI). Our modern refrigerators, televisions, smartphones, and small items, like baby monitors, are secretly collecting personal data. Intelligence agencies determined foreign governments are conducting surveillance through innocent-looking-apps and home appliances. New York Times reported (January 2025) “Concerns that the Chinese government could manipulate content and gain access to sensitive user data through the Tik Toc app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, prompted Congress to pass legislation to ban the social media platform.”
Late-model cars manufactured after 2012 transmit enormous amounts of data (4,000 gigabytes per day). Our automobiles have become computers on wheels. My new automobile dialogues with me and drives itself, while using sonar, radar, and 360-degree cameras. Images and information collected are fed into on-board computers to guide and protect my vehicle and me through traffic. It’s like piloting a spaceship with unbelievable technology.
However, advanced science is recording every move our cars make and reports everything about you, surroundings, and occupants, without your knowledge or permission. You, your family, and friends are legal victims of data robbery that suddenly delivers higher insurance premiums. Washington Post reported 84 percent of automotive manufacturers share and/or sell your personal data. Wonder where do you receive all those targeted-advertisements? Fifty-six-percent provide captured-consumers’ information to government or law enforcement upon request without warrants.
Here’s how it works: (Step 1) When buying new or recently-used automobiles, you are strongly pressured to install manufacturer’s apps on cellphones. Dealerships describe apps as part of the sale. With recent car purchases, zealous sales agents wanted to help me establish manufacturer’s apps. They asked me to privately enter my Google or Apple passwords so they could take over and download apps as an essential priority. The motivation was I could crank or unlock my car remotely using cellphones; be notified about vehicle recalls, alerts, and its location; call for roadside or accident assistance; know vitals like tire pressure; and receive maintenance reminders. Sounds innocent and appealing.
Little did I know dealers and staff receive manufacturers’ rewards for activating their apps. And, worse, I was unknowingly giving reps my Durable Power of Attorney to select different types of private data to share with manufacturers or third-party companies without my input or knowledge.
(Step2) Once apps are activated, your car’s computer, using cellphones, microphones, sonar and radar information, navigation, and camera systems connect with satellites and cellphone towers to transmit detailed data about you to manufacturers. These apps search information on your cellphones like address books (phone numbers, e-mails, texts, and call history); companion apps; car’s speed, braking, swerving, and seat belt usage; physical addresses and navigation destinations; vocal commands and voice recognition; hundreds of car sensor’s data; and camera footage of you and your family or friends outside/inside cars, including “intimate sexual events.” You might think you escaped speeding tickets with law enforcement but your car secretly recorded and reported infractions to insurance companies through third parties.
Unfortunately, your data being transmitted isn’t secure. Hackers can access your private information and even gain control of cars. In fact, a major automobile maker quietly-reported 3.3 million sensitive consumer files were breached and surfaced on public domains.
(Step 3) I recently bought a new car and while salespersons subtly pressured me to activate the app, I decided to do so later which was revealing. Manufacturers report they don’t share your private information with third parties unless you agree. Of course, the word you is most often a third-party completing the app’s content without your consent. One of the many privacy and data options for me to consider while activating my app which I declined was: “When you click the ‘Accept’ button, you agree to share your vehicle’s acceleration, speed, braking, steering with our affiliates which may “anonymously share” locations and driving data with their partnered insurance providers to determine if you qualify to save on insurance products and services.” The invitation was appealing but disguised to sell information. Affiliates include data brokers, marketers, dealers, insurance companies, streaming and satellite services like SiriusXM, Google maps, etc. (Step 4) The manufacturers may share/sell your data to third parties for millions of dollars. Data brokers use information they bought, along with other variables like financial history, to issue risk scores. They, in turn, sell your valuable rating to insurance companies that generate your premiums. Unfortunately, you cannot request, understand, or protest how your driver-score’s formula is calculated. In addition, they sell information to marketeers to customize their advertising content, pinpoint routes you take and areas you live, to promote services such as gas stations and restaurants.
We examined studies of 25 car manufacturers’ privacy agreements. Some drivers unknowingly shared their racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, e-mail content, texts, health, and sex life or sexual orientation. Wow. Keep in mind our vehicles are just one of many sources which track our lives.
Our next article will reveal strategies to avoid becoming victims of data-sharing when you buy cars and how to eliminate threats before or after the sale once apps are installed. Stay tuned.
Mike voluntarily authors these articles for five newspapers to fulfill his purpose – Creating opportunities to improve lives. Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com and register to receive his monthly articles or Daily Thoughts plus free access to his books, including The Art of Building Great Businesses. The website includes more than 100 published articles he has written on business, travel, and personal topics, in addition to health research with Surb Guram, MD, Allison Cashman, MD, and David Hurs
