Connected car makers set data privacy for places, driving & marketing

pledgetoportecGlobal Automakers and  the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers  agreed to  auto industry consumer privacy protection principles for vehicle technologies and services. Car companies agreed to have transparent policies that protect data and privacy. The principles will require the companies to receive permission for certain uses of data by model year 2017 at the latest , with a one-year extension available if engineering changes are required.

The organizations represent BMW, Mercedes- Benz, GM, Ford, Chryslerk Toyota, Volkswagen AG  Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai Motor Co. and others.

Highlights from the Principles

  •  Auto makers clearly state the limited circumstances where they may share information with government authorities. Auto makers will not disclose the customer’s geolocation data to the government unless the government produces a warrant or a court order.
  • Auto makers will not market to their customers using identifiable personal data collected by the vehicle unless the customer explicitly agrees.
  •  Auto maker members will not share sensitive personal data collected by the vehicle with data brokers and other third parties unless the customer explicitly agrees.
  • The most sensitive types of consumer information receive heightened protections (geolocation, driver behavior, and biometric information).  For many, information about where and how they drive is private.  Under the Automotive Privacy Principles, automakers pledge to provide protections for sensitive information that goes beyond similar principles in other industry sectors.
  • Car makers will each have a dedicated web portal that will contain their privacy information. Consumers can expect transparency.  Automakers will employ a variety of methods to provide consumers with clear notices of their privacy practices, including through owner’s manuals and company websites.

The Principles’ fundamentals are based on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs).

Global Automakers met with the FTC during the development process of the Principles and the agency is supportive of the industry efforts.

Consumer Watchdog applauded the automakers pledge that they won’t turn over geolocation information to law enforcement agencies without a warrant, but beyond that found little meaningful protection or choice for consumers.

Car makers pledge not to use your data for marketing without permission, but it looks like the auto makers y plan to keep profiles for any other purpose, noted John M. Simpson. The companies vow to implement “reasonable measures ” to protect covered information against loss and unauthorized access of use” which could not be strong enough protection.