🔒21 Vehicles Share Data with 3rd Parties via Wi-Fi
Your car's data is leaving the building
TL;DR
A study found that 21 vehicles and 30 companion apps share data with third parties over Wi-Fi. Pairing apps doubles exposure to advertising and tracking companies, raising privacy concerns.
A recent study revealed that 21 vehicles and 30 companion mobile apps share data with third parties over Wi-Fi. The research, conducted between October 2024 and August 2025, found that pairing apps with vehicles can double exposure to advertising and tracking companies. This is a wake-up call for anyone concerned about privacy in connected vehicles. The study used a custom access point on a Raspberry Pi to intercept Wi-Fi traffic and found that 19 out of 21 vehicles contacted at least one third party over Wi-Fi. 7 out of 30 companion apps transmitted sensitive identifiers to third parties. The study also tested 11 EVs in a Faraday tent to block cellular connections entirely, highlighting the extent of Wi-Fi data sharing.
Key Points
Study conducted on 21 vehicles and 30 companion apps between Oct 2024 and Aug 2025
19 out of 21 vehicles contacted at least one third party over Wi-Fi
7 out of 30 companion apps transmitted sensitive identifiers to third parties
Pairing apps with vehicles doubles exposure to advertising and tracking companies
Custom access point on Raspberry Pi used to intercept Wi-Fi traffic
Why It Matters
If you're a car owner with a connected vehicle, this study shows your data is likely being shared with third parties over Wi-Fi. Pairing apps with your vehicle doubles exposure to advertising and tracking companies. Manufacturers need to address this gap between public disclosures and actual data sharing practices.
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