How your car is tracking you

Many drivers have a strong, knee-jerk reaction to the idea of “black boxes” in cars, according to Consumer Reports.

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked for public input on a proposed rule that would require all cars to have an event data recorder (EDR), commonly called a black box, its website was swamped by more than a thousand comments from people who were concerned about the privacy implications. Comments included, “Big Brother is watching! No way should we allow ‘black boxes’ to be required on all new cars” and “It is not the role of government to be spying on its citizens.”

Invasive or not, the information captured by EDRs is just a trickle compared with the ever-growing stream of personal data flowing from our cars and electronic devices. Moreover, we often willingly trade that data for increased safety and convenience. “Most people carry a cellphone, which is the most privacy-invading device in the world today,” says Fred Cate, director of the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research at Indiana University. “So before people go screaming to the state legislature over auto privacy, it’s worth at least keeping in mind that we have already given up that battle.”

SIX WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DATA

The connected features in today’s cars provide many benefits. They include using GPS navigation to get to a destination, pairing a phone to an audio system to play downloaded music or to easily answer calls or using apps in an infotainment system to find food or gas stations. The trade-off is giving away some personal information. But Consumer Reports offers these ways to safeguard it.

Stay anonymous. Don’t share self-identifying information or publicize your location on social media. Also, don’t store an address labeled “home” in a navigation system; instead, store the address of a public place.

Scrub the data. When selling a car, clear the navigation system of recently visited addresses, or adjust the settings so that the system doesn’t save locations that you input. Don’t download contacts to the car’s phone system, and turn off the phone’s Bluetooth connection to the car when you exit. Keep in mind that a mechanic or valet could easily access personal information if your phone is within range.

Read the fine print. Every company has a privacy policy, but many people don’t read it. “Pay very close attention when you order any kind of in-car services about what their privacy practices and policies are,” says Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst in the Washington, D.C., office of the American Civil Liberties Union. “And do not accept something you don’t want.” Consumers can use their market power to demand good privacy, he says.

Cancel the data flow. If you’re selling a car that has a telematics system, such as OnStar, or if you decide not to use it anymore, Consumer Reports recommends contacting the company to let it know. Confirm what happens after you opt out and what is done with previously collected data.

Don’t leave a trail. If you’re concerned about the security of other information sent from your car, use cash instead of electronic toll collection devices such as E-ZPass. Also, don’t just turn off your cellphone; take out the battery, because phones still have tracking capabilities even when they’re shut off.

Think security. Don’t leave a portable GPS unit or any other electronic device in your car; take it with you. Lock your glove box if that’s where you keep your insurance and registration information. And use a valet key instead of handing over your personal car keys.

2014 Consumers Union Inc.