Your Car Is Watching You – And Maybe Recording It

Modern cars aren’t just machines that get you from point A to point B. They’re packed with sensors, computers, and networks that collect everything from where you’ve driven to how hard you’ve braked. That data isn’t just for mechanics or insurers anymore. It’s being used to build profiles of your habits—your speed, your routes, your timing—often without your full awareness. And because these systems are constantly connected, whether to the cloud or your phone, they create open doors for hackers or companies to see what you do behind the wheel. The more features a car has, the more data it gathers, and the more chances there are for that data to be misused.

What’s Really Being Collected in Your Car

• Black Box Data: Event data recorders—those little devices that log crashes—now track speed, braking, steering, and even engine warnings. While they were originally meant to help reconstruct accidents, they’re now shared with insurers to assess your risk. That means your driving style can influence your car insurance rates, even if you didn’t expect it.
• Infotainment Systems: Your car’s screen and audio system often connect directly to your phone. It can record what you’re watching, what you’re messaging, where you’re going, and even what you say—especially if you use voice commands. If the system isn’t secured, that personal data is sitting right there, exposed to anyone with access.
• Electronic Control Units (ECUs): Most cars today have 30 to 75 separate computer systems that control everything from engine performance to climate and lights. These units talk to each other constantly. A hacker could exploit that network to take over functions—like disabling brakes or turning on the heater—without you knowing.

Your car isn’t just a vehicle. It’s a living data hub. And while it’s built to work better, it’s also built to collect more. The truth is, you don’t always know what’s being tracked—or who has access to it. Staying alert, checking what your car shares, and demanding better security from manufacturers isn’t just smart. It’s necessary.