Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles (AVs), are no longer just a futuristic dream. They are here, evolving rapidly and making their way into our roads and everyday lives. But while they promise convenience and safety, they also collect an enormous amount of data about their passengers. The question is—how much do these vehicles actually know about you?
1. 78% of consumers are concerned about how self-driving cars collect and use their personal data
Most people are worried about data privacy when it comes to self-driving cars. And for good reason. These vehicles collect a wide range of personal data, including location, biometric information, and even in-car conversations.
One major issue is the lack of transparency. Many automakers do not clearly disclose what data they collect, how long they store it, and with whom they share it. This leaves consumers in the dark, wondering how much of their private information is at risk.
What You Can Do:
- Before purchasing or riding in an AV, check the manufacturer’s privacy policy.
- Look for ways to disable unnecessary data collection in the car’s settings.
- If possible, use a separate navigation device instead of the built-in system to limit tracking.
2. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) generate up to 4 terabytes of data per day
Self-driving cars rely on a massive amount of data to function. Every second, cameras, LiDAR sensors, GPS, and artificial intelligence analyze the environment. This results in the collection of up to 4 terabytes of data every single day—equivalent to thousands of high-definition movies.
This data is essential for navigation, object detection, and decision-making. However, much of it is also stored, shared, and sometimes even sold.
What You Can Do:
- Understand that every time you step into an AV, it is collecting data about you.
- Advocate for stricter regulations that control how long companies can store your information.
3. 67% of consumers worry about self-driving cars sharing their location data with third parties
Location tracking is one of the most concerning aspects of AVs. These cars know where you’ve been, where you are, and where you are going. Many companies share this data with third-party advertisers, law enforcement agencies, and even data brokers.
Why This Is a Problem:
- It can expose your daily habits and routines.
- It makes targeted advertising even more invasive.
- Hackers could exploit this data to track individuals.
What You Can Do:
- If your AV allows it, disable location tracking when not needed.
- Avoid using your personal accounts for in-car navigation.
- Use a privacy-focused VPN to obscure some of your location data.
4. 52% of AV users are unaware of how much personal data their vehicle collects
Many AV users simply do not realize the extent of data collection happening inside their cars. From facial recognition to voice recordings, your car may be gathering far more information than you expect.
How to Stay Informed:
- Read the car’s privacy settings and terms of service.
- If available, opt out of unnecessary data collection.
- Keep up with reports about your car brand’s data practices.
5. Over 85% of AVs rely on real-time data sharing with cloud networks for navigation and decision-making
Real-time data sharing is crucial for AVs, but it also introduces major privacy risks. Your driving habits, routes, and even passenger interactions can be stored in a cloud system that may not be as secure as you think.
What You Can Do:
- Check if your AV allows local storage instead of cloud-based storage.
- Be cautious about using voice assistants or other AI-driven features.
6. 92% of AVs collect location and route history data
Your AV not only tracks your location in real-time but also stores your route history. This means it knows where you work, where you shop, and even where your children go to school.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Regularly clear your vehicle’s stored location data.
- Use alternative navigation apps instead of built-in vehicle GPS.
7. 76% of consumers believe automakers should provide more transparency about data collection
Most people agree that car companies should be more open about what they collect. However, many manufacturers bury privacy details in long legal documents.
What You Can Do:
- Demand clearer privacy policies from automakers.
- Support legislation that forces transparency in AV data collection.
8. AVs use over 20 types of sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, and radar, to collect environmental and driver-related data
Your AV is essentially a rolling surveillance system. It gathers detailed data about both its surroundings and the people inside.
Protecting Your Privacy:
- Be aware of what each sensor does and whether you can disable them.
- Consider using privacy covers for in-car cameras.
9. 58% of consumers fear that self-driving cars could be hacked to steal their personal information
Cybersecurity remains a massive issue for AVs. Hackers can potentially access the car’s systems, exposing sensitive data such as credit card details, personal conversations, and even biometric data.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Always install software updates to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Avoid connecting personal devices to the AV’s system when possible.
10. AVs can track and store up to 100 unique data points per driver
From your seat position to the way you brake, self-driving cars track an enormous amount of personal information.
Minimizing Data Collection:
- Disable any personalized driver settings if you don’t need them.
- Request a data report from your vehicle manufacturer to see what is being stored.
11. 81% of AVs use facial recognition or biometric data to identify passengers
Many AVs use biometric identification for security and personalization. However, this data can also be misused if not properly protected.
What You Can Do:
- If possible, disable biometric recognition in your AV’s settings.
- Avoid linking your personal accounts to your car’s biometric system.
12. 70% of AVs collect in-cabin audio and video recordings
Many AVs record what happens inside the car, which raises major privacy concerns.
How to Protect Your Privacy:
- Find out if your AV records in-cabin audio and how to disable it.
- Avoid discussing sensitive topics while inside an AV.
13. 64% of users do not read the privacy policies of autonomous vehicle manufacturers
Most people don’t read the fine print when buying a self-driving car, which means they unknowingly agree to extensive data collection. These policies often outline what data is collected, how it’s shared, and whether it can be sold to third parties.
Why This Matters:
- You may unknowingly grant permission for your data to be shared or sold.
- Some AV manufacturers reserve the right to store data indefinitely.
- Certain features, such as voice recording, may be turned on by default.
What You Can Do:
- Take the time to skim through privacy policies, especially sections on data collection and sharing.
- Search for key terms like “third-party sharing,” “data storage,” and “opt-out options.”
- If the policy is unclear, contact customer support for clarification.
14. AVs are projected to generate 1 exabyte of data daily worldwide by 2030
To put this in perspective, 1 exabyte is one billion gigabytes—equivalent to 250 million DVDs of data every day. The more AVs hit the roads, the more personal information is collected and stored globally.
What This Means for You:
- The sheer volume of data makes it a high-value target for hackers.
- With so much data being collected, privacy laws may struggle to keep up.
- The more detailed the data, the easier it becomes to track individual behaviors.
How to Stay Safe:
- Support stricter data protection laws that regulate AV data collection and storage.
- Only use essential features in your AV to minimize unnecessary data collection.
15. 49% of AV users worry about their biometric data being sold to third parties
Biometric data, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scans, is being collected in many self-driving cars. This data is extremely sensitive because it is unique to you and cannot be changed like a password.
Why This Is a Concern:
- Biometric data, once stolen, cannot be reset or changed.
- Many companies use biometrics for targeted marketing or law enforcement partnerships.
- Unlike location data, biometric data can be used for identity verification without your consent.
What You Can Do:
- Avoid enabling biometric identification in your AV unless necessary.
- If your AV allows, opt for traditional security features instead of facial recognition.
16. Major automakers partner with over 50 third-party data brokers to monetize AV-collected data
Automakers are not just car manufacturers anymore; they are also data companies. Many of them sell or share user data with third-party brokers, who then resell it to advertisers, insurance companies, and even government agencies.
How This Affects You:
- Your driving habits and location data could be used to adjust your insurance rates.
- Advertisers may target you with hyper-personalized ads based on where you drive.
- Data brokers can compile extensive profiles about your lifestyle and preferences.
How to Fight Back:
- Request data reports from your AV manufacturer to see what’s being collected.
- Use privacy-focused tools, such as VPNs and encrypted messaging apps, to limit tracking.
17. 43% of AVs use emotion recognition AI to analyze passenger behavior
Some AVs are equipped with AI that analyzes facial expressions and body language to determine your mood. While this technology is meant to improve passenger experience and safety, it also raises major privacy concerns.
Why This Matters:
- Your emotional state could be used to influence ads shown in the car.
- Companies may track stress levels to adjust insurance policies.
- AI analysis of your mood could be inaccurate, leading to false conclusions about your state of mind.
What You Can Do:
- If possible, disable emotion recognition features in your AV.
- Cover cameras that may be used for emotion analysis when not needed.
18. AVs collect over 10 GB of data per hour from in-car infotainment systems alone
Your AV’s infotainment system is a goldmine of personal data, from your music preferences to your browsing history. Many people connect their phones via Bluetooth or USB, further exposing their data.
How This Affects You:
- Your in-car search history and media preferences may be tracked and shared.
- Phone contacts, messages, and call logs can be accessed if permission is granted.
What You Can Do:
- Avoid connecting your phone directly to the AV’s infotainment system unless necessary.
- Regularly clear your infotainment system’s cache and history.
19. 55% of AV owners believe they should have full control over their vehicle’s data-sharing settings
Many AV owners feel that they should be able to decide what data is shared, yet most automakers provide limited control.
What You Can Do:
- Check your AV’s settings for data-sharing options.
- Advocate for laws that give consumers more control over their data.
20. More than 40% of AVs are equipped with eye-tracking technology to monitor driver attentiveness
Eye-tracking technology helps ensure driver awareness but also collects biometric data.
How to Protect Yourself:
- If possible, disable eye-tracking features when not necessary.
- Wear sunglasses to make eye-tracking technology less effective.
21. 88% of AVs collect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity data
When you connect your phone to your AV’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, your data is exposed.
What You Can Do:
- Use mobile data instead of connecting to your AV’s Wi-Fi.
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use.
22. 62% of consumers support stricter government regulations on AV data collection
Most consumers believe there should be tighter restrictions on how AVs collect and store data.
What You Can Do:
- Support privacy advocacy groups working to enforce stronger regulations.
- Demand transparency from AV manufacturers before purchasing.
23. AV manufacturers report sharing consumer data with at least 30 different companies on average
Your data doesn’t just stay with your AV manufacturer—it gets shared widely.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Use encrypted communication apps when inside an AV.
- Avoid using in-car payment features linked to your financial accounts.
24. 71% of AVs track passengers’ smartphone interactions while in the vehicle
Even if you don’t connect your phone, your AV may still be tracking how you use it.
What You Can Do:
- Use airplane mode when riding in an AV to limit data collection.
25. 60% of AVs collect data on passengers’ entertainment preferences and online browsing habits
Your AV is tracking more than just your location—it’s also analyzing what you watch and listen to.
How to Reduce Tracking:
- Use a VPN when streaming content inside an AV.
26. 50% of AV users are unaware their voice commands are recorded and stored
Many AVs store voice commands for analysis and improvement of AI systems.
How to Protect Your Voice Data:
- Check privacy settings to disable voice data storage if possible.
27. 45% of AV users support an opt-out feature for all non-essential data collection
Many users want an opt-out option for unnecessary data collection, but few manufacturers offer it.
What You Can Do:
- Ask your manufacturer if they offer a full data opt-out feature.
28. The global AV data monetization market is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2030
Companies see AV data as a major business opportunity.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious about sharing personal information in AV-related apps.
29. 57% of AV consumers are worried about government surveillance through self-driving cars
Some fear that AV data could be used for mass surveillance.
What You Can Do:
- Support privacy laws that limit government access to AV data.
30. 80% of AVs collect data on weather conditions and road surfaces, which can include indirect personal location tracking
Even indirect data, such as weather conditions, can be used to track your movements.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Disable location sharing whenever possible.
wrapping it up
The rise of self-driving cars brings incredible convenience and innovation, but it also raises serious concerns about data privacy.
These vehicles are more than just machines that take you from point A to point B—they are sophisticated data collection systems that gather vast amounts of information about you, your habits, and your movements.
