Study finds connected cars and apps share data with tech companies

Connected cars and their companion apps can send detailed information to technology companies, according to a study by researchers at Northeastern University and Consumer Reports.

The researchers tested 21 late-model vehicles from 17 automakers and examined 30 companion mobile apps. The peer-reviewed study is due to be published this week, according to the source article.

Nineteen of the 21 vehicles sent traffic to at least one third party. Seven of the 30 apps shared sensitive information, including vehicle identification numbers (VINs), email addresses, phone numbers and precise location data, with third-party companies associated with tracking and advertising. The study said multiple kinds of information were sometimes sent to the same company, which could enable advertisers and data brokers to build detailed consumer profiles.

Pairing a companion app with a vehicle roughly doubled exposure to advertising and tracking companies, the researchers found. They shared their findings with the automakers. The researchers said all except Honda shifted blame elsewhere, often to consumers. Honda improved its data collection practices and told its vendor Amplitude to delete geolocation data it had received, according to the source article.