Car Is a Smartphone on Wheels. Here's Who's Listening
Researchers from Northeastern University, in partnership with Consumer Reports, conducted a study on the privacy implications of connected vehicles. The study reveals that modern cars act as data-gathering hubs, often sharing or selling consumer information to third parties without clear user control.
Why it matters
It highlights significant privacy risks associated with the 'Internet of Things' in the automotive industry and the lack of transparency in data handling.
The first large-scale measurement study of the connected-vehicle ecosystem.
A connected car is a vehicle with built-in internet access — Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS — that lets it communicate constantly with its manufacturer and outside companies. Over 75% of vehicles sold globally have this connectity built-in.
Partnering with Consumer Reports, we tested 21 late model vehicles and 30 companion mobile apps to understand the privacy implications of the connected vehicle ecosystem.
We go through a lengthy discolure process and provide insight into how manufacturer's perceive this data sharing issue. Our findings underscore the need for continued measurement and scrutiny of the connected vehicle ecosystem.
Consumer Reports gave the team access to its purchased fleet of test vehicles — a sample that would have cost over $1.2M to assemble independently.
This work is peer reviewed and will be published at IMC '26. Read the paper →
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