Toyota, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, is facing criticism for its alleged failure to disclose the tracking and data-sharing capabilities of its vehicles. According to an Australian man who placed a deposit on a Toyota Hilux, he was unaware of the car’s features until he started receiving emails prompting him to register for “Toyota Connected Services.” The customer claims that neither the dealership nor Toyota informed him about these services during the purchase process.
Toyota Connected Services, introduced in late 2020, includes features such as movement tracking and driving data collection. An investigation by Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group Choice revealed that this technology collects various types of information, including vehicle location, driving data, fuel levels, phone numbers, and email addresses. Toyota also has the right to share this collected data with third parties, including finance and insurance companies, promotions and market research organizations, debt collection agencies, and information technology service providers.
The customer, after conducting extensive research into the privacy policies surrounding Toyota Connected Services, became increasingly uncomfortable with the data handling practices. He requested the removal of these features from his car but was informed that doing so would void his warranty and potentially put his insurance at risk. Frustrated with the lack of options, he canceled his order and requested a refund of his $2,000 deposit. However, the Toyota dealer refused to refund the deposit, leading the customer to file complaints with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading and the Queensland Ombudsman.
Privacy concerns in the automotive industry are not limited to Toyota. The Mozilla Foundation, a US-based organization, conducted an in-depth review of 25 major car brands and found that all of them collect more personal data than necessary. Furthermore, 84 percent of these brands share or sell data to third parties. The report highlighted that this data includes sensitive information such as sexual activity, immigration status, race, facial expressions, weight, health, genetic information, and travel patterns. Only two companies, Renault and Dacia, provide drivers with the option to delete their data.
Jen Caltrider from Mozilla stated that consumers do not have a real choice when it comes to privacy in cars. She described new cars as “privacy nightmares on wheels” that collect vast amounts of personal information. The only option, she claimed, is to either have a car and sacrifice privacy or not have a car at all. Ibrahim Khalil, a professor of cloud systems and security at RMIT University, emphasized that the challenge of privacy protection in the automotive industry is becoming increasingly complex. While manufacturers claim to collect data for safety purposes, there is concern that this data can be misused.
Following the customer’s complaints, Toyota Australia has reached out to him and assured him of a full refund of his $2,000 deposit. This response from Toyota indicates that the company is taking the matter seriously and acknowledges the need to address customer concerns regarding privacy.
The case of Toyota and its Connected Services highlights a growing issue in the automotive industry. As cars become more technologically advanced, they are also becoming “privacy nightmares” for consumers. It is crucial for manufacturers to be transparent about the data collection and sharing capabilities of their vehicles, giving customers the ability to make informed choices about their privacy. Additionally, regulations and policies should be put in place to protect consumer privacy and ensure that personal data is not exploited or misused. In an increasingly interconnected world, privacy is a fundamental right that should not be compromised for the sake of convenience or technological advancements.
