Did you ever wonder what your car processes for data related to you?
Event Data Recorders (EDRs) are installed in over 90% of vehicles and record technical information before and after a crash, including speed, accelerator and brake position, seat belt usage, and airbag deployment.
On-Board Diagnostic Information can be accessed through the OBD-II port, required in vehicles manufactured after 1996. It provides information for emissions measurement, performance diagnostics, and repairs.
Third-party devices can collect driver behavioral and geolocation data through this port.
Location Information may be collected by navigation systems to route the vehicle to its destination. External Information is gathered through cameras and sensors that detect road conditions, lane markings, obstacles, and surrounding traffic. It enables features like blind spot detection, lane-departure warnings, assisted braking, and rear-parking detection. In-Cabin Information includes sensors such as microphones and cameras that record information about vehicle occupants, potentially for emergency services or hands-free telephone use. User Recognition systems may use physical characteristics like fingerprints or facial recognition to identify users and adjust settings accordingly. Eye movement tracking can detect driver attention and fatigue.
Apps integrated with the vehicle’s interface, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, can access data from the car and have their own privacy policies. Vehicle data and technology are constantly evolving, with manufacturers and partners updating and improving features.