If your car connects to the internet, what personal data could it be sharing – and even selling? A new report on Australia’s 15 most popular car brands reveals these privacy concerns.

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.

  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    10 days 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.

        • Infomatics90@lemmy.caEnglish
          2·
          7 days ago

          Anytime i bring up any chat application that is privacy friendly i get told i need to “stop watching conspiracy theories”

          • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            7 days ago

            So, they’re not even willing to give it a try? Why? Because it’s associated w/ privacy? How is that in any way a bad thing?

            I’d understand it if it was missing some features, and depending on what features they’re missing, maybe you can find an app that provides those.

            • Infomatics90@lemmy.caEnglish
              1·
              7 days ago

              The group of people i tell this to give me some varying reasons, but go back to the point that i have severe anxiety and i need to calm down. This group is my parents, my estranged partner and her mother, so its not like it’s alot of people.

                • Infomatics90@lemmy.caEnglish
                  1·
                  7 days ago

                  I mean, i am diagnosed with GAD, but ive been trying very hard to be privacy centric. I don’t agree with anyone monitoring my internet traffic, and would like it all anatomized. I tried in the past but i failed, this time i want to try to for good. That means my computer and my phone, im looking to get a linux phone and one without android. Again, i guess you can call me crazy…

                  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                    1·
                    7 days ago

                    I recommend taking it a bit more slow. I’ve been moving that direction over the past year or so, and these are the changes I’ve made:

                    1. switch to Tuta email from Google
                    2. replace phone w/ Pixel phone to install GrapheneOS (needed upgrade anyway)
                    3. configure my NAS to eventually replace Google Drive (have NextCloud set up w/ LibreOffice Online)

                    And some things I’m in the middle of:

                    • replace the handful of Google apps I still use w/ my NAS setup - still use Sheets and Keep
                    • configure VPN on my WiFi network - have tested it out, just need something more permanent
                    • switch to a VOIP number so my calls and texts go over data, which I can encrypt w/ a VPN, as well as take calls/texts on my computers
                    • convince SO and other family members to use something other than SMS (probably not happening)

                    I eventually want a Linux phone, but the current iterations just aren’t good enough (battery, audio, etc). So I’m cutting out as much as I can in the meantime, and transitioning slowly.

                    So far, none of my changes have required any effort from my friends and family. My old gmail address forwards to my current Tuta address, and getting them to switch which email to send to is pretty easy (will do that soon). All the apps I need work fine on GOS, and I’m the only one using my NAS (except for Jellyfin, which my SO and kids use).

                    I recommend you take a similar path. Prioritize changes that impact your family and friends as little as possible, and then optimize from there.

                    When trying to get others to switch, don’t make it all about privacy, make it about features. For example for Signal, there’s a desktop and mobile app, so you’d be more likely to see someone’s message vs SMS and FB (esp. if you don’t use FB much). It also supports screen sharing on video calls, groups (and group calls), etc. So it combines features from other apps into one so you don’t have to juggle apps/devices.

                    For example, I wanted to switch to Jellyfin so we could cancel our streaming services, and I sold it to my SO and kids by saying we could easily watch all of the movies and shows we already have, and I’m willing to buy whatever shows/movies they want and I’d rip them. So the kids each asked for a specific show, so I bought complete seasons of those and ripped them, and now they’re happy, I’m saving money, streaming services can’t track me, and things work even when the internet is dead.