GoKawiilNortheastern/Consumer Reports study finds widespread, opaque car data tracking across 19 brands
Researchers from Northeastern University and Consumer Reports analyzed 21 late-model vehicles from 19 automakers and 30 companion apps to examine how connected cars collect and transmit driver data. The study, led by David Choffnes, examined where data goes, whether it crosses international borders, and what personally identifiable information gets exposed. It follows the FTC's 2024 penalty against General Motors for selling location and driving data without consent, and smaller fines against Ford and Honda over opt-out difficulties.