I was at Weekend Sunrise recently talking about what too many people still don’t realise about their smart cars.
Because the truth is, our cars aren’t just taking us places anymore. They’re collecting incredibly detailed stories about our lives.
Through GPS, cameras, sensors, Bluetooth, voice assistants, in-car apps, entertainment systems, safety features and the mobile apps linked to the vehicle, modern cars can collect a lot more than most of us would expect.
They can know where we live, where we work, what our routines look like, where our kids go to school, whether we visit a medical clinic, who travels with us, what we listen to, how we drive, how fast we go, how sharply we brake, and in some cases, even information connected to our face, mood, fatigue or behaviour.
And while this is often framed as being about safety, product improvement or customer research, we also need to be honest about the overreach.
Because this data can be shared, sold or accessed by third parties, including insurers, and we don’t always get told clearly who is buying it, how it is being used, or what decisions it might influence later. Check it out and let me know what you think!