Automobiles today are thought of as computers on wheels. With the current Apple lawsuit pertaining to the Siri assistant’s eavesdropping on your every word and actions, it brings the right to privacy to the forefront. Apple has agreed to pay consumers $95 million for listening in on users, and selling the information to third parties, like advertisers and insurance companies. The voice-activated features are being installed in most cars built today.
You see it every day: drivers love to talk and drive, using voice-activated assistance. Siri and other assistants record everything, from conversations, speed and driving habits to your destinations, which can help insurance companies and law enforcement. All without the owner’s consent. This violates the right to privacy. Cars are not the only technology that has the capabilities of ease dropping. Your USB cables can download information from your devices and transfer that information to hackers or ransomware thieves.
What can you do to protect your privacy? Ensure you have strong passwords. Use two authentications to validate it is actually you. Never use unsecured networks, this can transfer any information you have connected to that network. You can usually disconnect voice-activated control in your vehicle by accessing the settings menu on your car’s infotainment system and finding the option to turn off voice commands or voice activation, depending on your car model; this may be labeled as “Voice Control,” “Voice Recognition,” or similar.
Be vigilant when it comes to your privacy. Happy Motoring.