Companies seek to monetize data collected from vehicles, survey finds

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Car data collection survey overview: 

• Who: A new survey by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada revealed info about the connected vehicle data industry. 
• Why: The survey found that a majority of drivers do not understand what type of data their vehicles produce nor what companies it is sent to. 
• Where: The survey is relevant to drivers of vehicles installed with cellular connections nationwide. 

Consumers may not be aware that companies are collecting their data through their vehicles, according to a new survey released by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). 

The survey found that only 28% of respondents totally understood the type of data produced by their vehicles in the first place, The Markup reports. 

Only 28% of drivers also said they understood who had access to their vehicle data, according to the AIAC survey. 

What has become known as the connected vehicle data industry is, in fact, growing swiftly, with a growing number of companies part of a group seeking to monetize the data, The Markup reports. 

Many of the companies, including OnStar, Sirius XM, TomTom, Xevo and Geico, among others, participating in the lightly-regulated industry have stressed that the data they receive is aggregated or anonymized.

In general, companies participating in the car data collection industry include vehicle data hubs, navigation and in-vehicle infotainment companies, car manufacturers and telecom operators, among others, The Markup reports. 

While being able to acquire vehicle data can give a company a unique look into both an individual’s location and movement, the practice can also open the door for potential privacy violations to occur. 

Market for car data collection industry expected to grow to as much as $800 billion by 2030

Analysts have predicted that the market for the connected vehicle data industry, which is still in its infancy, could reach anywhere from between $300 billion and $800 billion by the year 2030, The Markup reports. 

Lawmakers in the United States have reportedly recently threatened to clamp down on the practice of collecting, transferring and selling vehicle location data as a way to put roadblocks in place as the industry continues to grow. 

Companies are able to grab data from vehicles installed with cellular connections, which are able to transmit data in real time via cellular radio to the servers of the car’s manufacturer, The Markup reports. 

In July, the Federal Trade Commission announced an intention to crack down on any individuals found to be illegally sharing delicate location and health data in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. 

Were you aware of car data collection? Let us know in the comments! 

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