A few years ago we started seeing the first connected cars, vehicles that integrate functions of information and entertainment, communication and more, based on a permanent connection to the Internet. As always with this type of technology, they were initially something exclusive to the high-end range, but over time it spread to the point that today it’s increasingly rare to find models that don’t have some sort of vehicle-based feature. connectivity.

Undoubtedly brought many benefits to these vehicles, both in terms of features that assist driving (maps, traffic information, etc.) and for the entertainment of other passengers. The reception of connected cars is therefore generally very positive, although it is true that we find some criticisms, such as that a greater number of electronic systems translates into a greater probability of malfunctions or that infotainment systems can distract the driver with risks that carries with it

However, there is a risk that, despite not being noticed by many people, it endangers all users of this type of vehicle, even if the driver is particularly careful, and the manufacturing is so excellent that these systems will not cause a single problem during their lifetime. lifespan. A problem that is more present in our lives every day through our devices and the services we use in them: Privacy.

The most recent example of this, and also one of the most convincing, can be found in a study conducted by the Mozilla Foundation, which after testing connected cars from 25 brands, he says they are “terrible for privacy and security«. It is not the only categorical statement in this regard, for elsewhere in its report it states that automobiles are “The worst official category of privacy products we’ve ever reviewed«. And in fact, once we start reading it, we find that it qualifies connected cars as «a privacy nightmare«. Of course, they spared no expense in making their point very clear.

25 rated brands failed to use dataand therefore they all deserved the “prize” Privacy is not included which the foundation uses to evaluate all products and services whose privacy it tests and which perform poorly in those tests. Here are the points highlighted in the report:

• They collect too much personal data
• Most (84%) share or sell your data
• Most (92%) give drivers little or no control over their personal data.

According to the brands, the French Renault was the best in the rating, receiving a negative rating in only one of the five points evaluated, followed by Dacia with two negative ratings. At the opposite end of the table we find Tesla, which was the only one of all evaluated brands to receive a negative rating in all five evaluated points in these controls. The researchers focus on this point and say it is the second time they have evaluated the privacy of products and services in which what was evaluated fails on all counts.

No doubt it is an issue that both consumers and regulators need to focus on, because connected cars are already an inevitable present, but they are exempt from the regulations that apply to many other industries. And unfortunately, the data economy is too juicy a market for companies to voluntarily decide to give up.