Concern about how much information new cars are collecting about their drivers has prompted Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind to open an inquiry to ensure connected vehicles sold in Australia protect sensitive personal data.
This included the right to collect and share information on sexual activity, health and genetic information. Much of this sensitive information is collected by powerful phone-based car automation apps. “I think there’s a related and separate issue around certain types of vehicles, including electric vehicles, which are collecting a range of other types of information, including video footage around the car, and other types of surveillance imagery,” she said.“So, really trying to interrogate what the privacy obligations and issues are in that space.”The Biden administration recently launched a Commerce Department investigation into connected cars.
“Critically, our laws don’t ensure uses and disclosures of that information are fair and reasonable.” These were “agreed in principle” but deferred last year after Treasury convinced cabinet more consultation and costing studies were needed, further delaying reforms that have been under consideration for more than a decade.