New cars collect personal data to a large extent. For this reason, they can be a nightmare for their owners - these are the conclusions reached by the non-profit organization Mozilla Foundation, which compiled a list of the 7 worst companies.
Mozilla is best known for its popular web browser. But a nonprofit organization called the Mozilla Foundation also analyzes how various products and services on the Internet use data. Against this background, new cars fare dismally, being the worst category ever tested.
Mozilla conducted its review on the American market. GDPR is in force in Europe, giving car owners certain basic rights regarding data protection and collection. Nevertheless, this does not always work in practice.
A lot of data falls into the hands of producers
Mozilla examined 25 car manufacturers for data. Unfortunately, none of them received a positive rating. According to company representatives, modern models collect a huge amount of sensitive personal data. These include: facial expression, weight, health data or addresses we went to.
"Many people think that the car is a private space where you can call the doctor, talk to your child on the way to school, cry after breaking up with your partner or go to places you don't want anyone to know about," he says. Jen Caltrider, head of the Privacy Unaccounted for project.
“It no longer corresponds to reality. In terms of privacy, all new cars are nightmares on wheels. They collect a huge amount of personal data," he adds.
“New Cars is the worst product category Mozilla has ever reviewed,” Caltrider says.
How do cars collect data?
They do this using sensors, microphones, cameras or a connected smartphone. Thanks to them, manufacturers can recreate an almost complete picture of the owner of a given car.
As if that were not enough, a lot of data is also collected using mobile applications and manufacturers' websites. It is worth remembering that automotive companies may sell or share this data with other entities.
Additionally, there is no way to check whether the data collected is always securely encrypted.
The worst producers
Mozilla has not issued a safety certificate to any car brand. However, she pointed out those that stand out in an even more negative way than others - at least on the American market.
- Nissans collect data on the behavior, health diagnoses and sexual activity of the car owner
- In its privacy policy, Kia also gives the right to monitor the car owner's sexual life
- Volkswagen collects information about whether the driver wears seat belts and, for example, how he uses the brake. At the same time, it checks the age and gender of the car owner
- Mercedes installs the TikTok application in its latest models, which has been criticized many times for protecting privacy and has even been banned by some organizations
- Subaru - in cars of this brand, passengers are considered their users, so they automatically agree to the collection of data. It is up to the driver to inform them that the car collects so much private information
- Tesla is underperforming in all categories rated by Mozilla. What's worse, if we turn off the Internet in a car of this brand, it may cause "serious damage" - says the manufacturer
- Hyundai has the right to send data to the police and authorities even without a formal request
Data leaks are not an accident
It is important to realize that if the above information falls into the wrong hands, it could have disastrous consequences. What's worse, such a scenario is not impossible at all. After all, Volkswagen, Audi, Toyota, Tesla and Mercedes have "fallen victims" of data leaks for millions of users in recent years.
Most car manufacturers refrained from commenting on the results of Mozilla's analysis. In turn, companies that respond to the allegations claim that the car owner can always turn off "inconvenient" functions.
However, if he does this, he will not be able to use many important car systems, e.g. from a safety point of view.
For the first time in the history of the European Union, the percentage of sales of electric cars in the EU is higher than diesel ones. A total of one million new cars were registered in the EU in June alone.
Sales of new cars in the European Union have increased sharply since the beginning of this year. The statistics of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) show that the bars symbolizing the registration of cars are soaring. In June alone, the increase amounted to 17.8 percent. compared to last year. This means that one million new cars appeared on European roads in a month.
Experts point out that the reason for the rebound is the resolution of the crisis in the supply chains, which prevented the import of appropriate components.
The red island on the map of registered new cars in the EU is only Hungary, where a lower value of 1.4% was recorded. compared to June last year. Other European markets recorded increases. The largest in Germany (24.8%), Spain (13.3%), France (11.5%) and Italy (9.1%).
First half of 2023
The first half of 2023 means an increase in new car registrations by 17.9 percent. compared to the first two quarters of last year. By the end of June, 5.4 million new cars had arrived on EU roads.
"The improvement in recent months indicates that the European automotive industry is recovering from the supply disruptions caused by the pandemic," ACEA emphasized.
Over the past months, the highest increases were recorded in Spain (24%), Italy (22.8%), France (15.3) and Germany (12.8).
Electrics overtook diesels
In June, electric cars accounted for 15.1% of new car registrations in the EU, an increase of over four percent compared to the previous year. For the first time in history, battery-electric vehicles overtook diesel cars and now occupy the third position in the ranking.
The second most popular choice among buyers of new cars, with a result of 24.3 percent. there are hybrid cars.
Petrol-powered cars are still in the lead (36.3%).
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