🔒Study Reveals 19 of 21 Vehicles Share Data with Third Parties
Your Car is Leaking Private Data to Strangers
TL;DR
A new study found that 19 out of 21 vehicles tested shared private data with third parties. Companion apps doubled exposure to tracking companies, and manufacturers often don't disclose this.
A recent study uncovered that 19 out of 21 vehicles tested shared private data with third parties via Wi-Fi and cellular connections. This data includes sensitive identifiers and personal information, often without consumer consent. The study also found that companion apps significantly increase exposure to advertising and tracking companies, with all apps transmitting multiple forms of PII to the same third party. The research, conducted from October 2024 to August 2025, highlights a significant gap between what manufacturers disclose and the actual data sharing practices in the connected vehicle ecosystem.
Key Points
Study conducted on 21 vehicles and 30 companion apps from October 2024 to August 2025.
19 vehicles contacted at least one third party over Wi-Fi, with 7 apps transmitting sensitive identifiers.
Pairing companion apps roughly doubled a vehicle's exposure to advertising/tracking companies.
All apps transmitted multiple forms of PII to the same third party, highlighting data privacy concerns.
Honda improved data collection practices to prevent sending precise geolocation to third parties.
Why It Matters
If you're a vehicle owner, your data is likely being shared with third parties without your knowledge. Companion apps increase exposure to tracking companies, and manufacturers often underreport data sharing practices. This affects privacy and security for all connected vehicle users.
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