GoKawiilNortheastern study finds GM, Honda, Nissan apps sharing VINs with ad companies
A Northeastern University study tested 21 recent cars and 30 automaker apps between October 2024 and August 2025, finding that seven apps sent identifiers like VINs, email addresses and precise locations to advertising and analytics firms. Four of those apps—myCadillac, myChevrolet, myBuick and myGMC—each sent VINs to 10 companies including Microsoft and Adobe, while HondaLink sent VINs and location to Amplitude, and Lincoln and MyNISSAN apps were also flagged. Consumer Reports found 28 of 30 apps contacted at least one ad or analytics company, with some cars that contacted none directly still exposing owners to over 20 tracking firms once their apps were included.