From Wi-Fi usage to Browsing history, 5 things your smart car tracks about you

Have you ever stopped to think about the extent to which your smart car is keeping tabs on you? Of course, it’s something to worry about, knowing how digitized cars are and how we can easily connect them to the internet… and our smartphones.

We’re not talking about just your fuel efficiency or tire pressure but the nitty-gritty details that might make you raise an eyebrow. Your personal information, such as your browsing history. If apps on your smartphone can keep tabs on you, why not your smart car, too?

Buckle up because you are about to learn some things that may blow your mind: 5 things your smart car tracks about you.

Wi-Fi Usage: The Connected Car

Your smart car is not just a mode of transportation; it’s a rolling Wi-Fi hotspot. That’s right! It’s not just there to entertain your backseat passengers with music videos on long drives. Every device that connects to your car’s Wi-Fi leaves a digital fingerprint. Your smartphone, tablet, or even your friend’s laptop – your smart car knows when they were connected and for how long.

So, the next time you connect your phone to a car’s Wi-Fi to stream your favorite playlist, remember that your car might be silently judging your taste in music.

Browsing History

Ever Googled “best coffee shops near me” or “how to parallel park”? Your smart car knows about it. With modern infotainment systems seamlessly integrated with the internet, your car is like a browser on wheels. It logs your search queries, the websites you visit, and even the videos you watch.

While this might seem convenient enough, there are personal issues you may have Googled about that you don’t want anyone else to know about, especially when your loved one(s) also uses your car.

Especially if you’ve been using Google Chrome (it’s the dominant browser and everyone’s favorite, of course), you may want to uninstall it ASAP and switch to a private browser.

Not just to delete but to completely uninstall chrome in a way that eliminates all privacy-violating cookies, purges cache, and flushes DNS records. Why? Google is an advertising company, and they do not have a good reputation when it comes to privacy.

Location, Location, Location

We all know our cars have GPS, and we love it for guiding us through unknown territories. But did you know your smart car keeps a detailed record of where you’ve been? From that spontaneous road trip to the late-night drive-thru escapade – it’s all stored in the digital memory of your vehicle.

While this feature can be a lifesaver when you can’t remember where you parked, it also means that your car knows when you took a detour to your secret ice cream spot instead of hitting the gym.

Your car might just spill the beans if you ever decide to claim you were at the office during that unscheduled pit stop. That’s kinda of intrusive, don’t you think?

Driving Habits: The Backseat Driver

Your smart car is not just monitoring where you go but also how you get there. It’s keeping tabs on your driving habits – from how hard you slam on the brakes to how fast you take that hairpin turn. This data can be a treasure trove for car manufacturers and insurance companies, but it might make you feel like you’ve got a tech-savvy backseat driver on board.

Did you accelerate a bit too aggressively at that green light? Your car noticed. While this data can potentially be used to improve your driving skills or alert emergency services in case of an accident, it’s a reminder that your car is more than just a mode of transportation – it’s a vigilant observer of your driving habits.

Voice Commands: The Eavesdropper

“Hey, car, play my driving playlist.” We’ve all uttered similar commands to our smart cars, and they obediently respond. But have you ever wondered what happens to those voice recordings? Your car is essentially eavesdropping on your conversations, albeit for the purpose of understanding and responding to your commands.

Whether you’re discussing weekend plans or revealing your deepest secrets during a heated phone call, your car is silently listening. While manufacturers claim these recordings are anonymized and used to improve voice recognition systems, it’s a reminder that our cars are becoming not just smart but also incredibly attentive listeners.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, our smart cars are now rolling data collectors, absorbing every aspect of our journeys – from the mundane to the extraordinary. As we continue to embrace the conveniences of connected vehicles, it’s essential to be aware of the digital trail we leave behind. So, next time you hop into your smart car, remember to be privacy-conscious.