Do you feel like you are being watched? Constantly? Even while you drive? It might not be paranoia. Australian car makers are being investigated for customer privacy concerns. The Australian Electric Vehicle Association is pushing for increased hacking protection and local processing of data, which should also default to "off" unless customers opt in. While Australia does have privacy law in the form of the Australian Privacy Principles in practice these are merely guidance for which companies can largely ignore.
Manufacturers face fresh scrutiny from the Australian government over concerns surrounding data and customer privacy.
Toyota and Hyundai are currently under the microscope with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which has confirmed that the manufacturers are "subject to a formal investigation examining exactly what data is collected, how it is used, and whether customers are aware of their policies"
A spokesman for the OAIC said "the investigations are anticipated to have a broader application for the Australian community".
The investigation has car makers worried.
"Australia has no vehicle-specific law governing connected car data," he said.
"It has a privacy statute written in 1988, a voluntary industry code that is not enforceable, a right-to-repair scheme that excludes the data stream in question, and three reform processes running in three portfolios with no one holding carriage."
He called on authorities to introduce a simple framework that car makers and their customers can understand.
"Instead of instigating fear and distrust in the connected vehicles we drive, policymakers have the power to make effective changes to protect drivers and consumer choice," Mr Pickering said.
The AEVA is pushing for increased hacking protection and local processing of data, which should also default to "off" unless customers opt in.
The OAIC said its ongoing investigation will examine manufacturers' data collection practices, including whether they collect more personal information than is reasonably necessary for their functions and activities, obtain valid consent for collection of any sensitive information, and collect personal information by fair means.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 01, @02:41PM (2 children)
How much data are cars collecting? How are people meant to know? How would they find out? Other than identity theft down the line perhaps.
Do people have the right to know when data is collected? What data that is? Who collects it?
Can people opt out of this? If I buy a modern car with all this whiz bang in it how would I even know what they are doing, or even if they turn it off or not.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by janrinok on Saturday August 01, @04:44PM (1 child)
In the USA you can't. In Europe you can. Sites must tell you what data they hold on you if you ask. There are laws about collecting data, storing data, and justifying what is collected.
That is the reason that Europeans do not want their data being kept on US clouds. The US has very few laws or limits relating to data collection
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mcgrew on Sunday August 02, @04:50PM
I only wish US citizens had HALF the data protections as every other country on Earth! We suck. But fascist societies always do.
The Stupid-Ass Voter Evisceration act: SAVE Trump and his family from prison