Carmakers Are Quietly Selling Driver Data to Tech Giants

Northeastern researchers found that vehicle apps transmit granular behavioral data—location, driving patterns, habits—to Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, often without clear user consent or disclosure of downstream use. Car companies are monetizing driver surveillance alongside vehicle sales, embedding data extraction into the ownership experience. The opacity matters: drivers upgrading their cars for convenience features are enrolling in undisclosed data partnerships comparable in scope to social media platforms.