Data privacy within the automotive industry was analyzed in a recent report by Kaspersky. According to the report, 72% of drivers are uncomfortable with the idea of automakers sharing their data with third parties. Eighty-seven percent of survey participants said automakers should be required to delete their data upon request, and 28% said they have some idea what kind of data their car collects.
Seventy-one percent of drivers even said they would consider buying an older car or one with less technology, in order to protect their privacy and security. More than three-quarters of drivers expressed concern when presented with research findings showing that zero out of 25 researched car brands met the minimum security criteria.
Forty-eight percent said they use either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, while 33% don't have it, and 19% have it but choose not to use it. Privacy experts say avoiding these services is one way to prevent data collection. Meanwhile, 20% of drivers said they don't use Bluetooth in the car. Forty-two percent of those who do use Bluetooth said they choose not to share their phone's address book with their car.
When asked why they think automakers might be collecting data about them (without being limited to a single answer) half (49.5%) said they think it's to sell it to advertisers or other third parties, while 40% think it's to share with insurance companies, 30% think it is for safety, and 27% think it is to provide better customer service. Twelve percent said they don't know and 8% said they don't think automakers are collecting their data.
While drivers worried about how their data is handled, 42% of respondents said they're worried about the car collecting their personal data in the first place. The level of concern was greatest among 18-24 year-olds (52%), compared to just 33% among those 55 and over. Young drivers were also the most likely (81%) to say they would consider buying and older car or one with less technology, in order to protect their privacy.
Read the full report here.
