What data your connected car collects and sends back
Your connected car collects far more information than you might realize, and most of it flows back to the manufacturer. Modern vehicles track your location in real time, record how fast you drive, monitor when you brake hard, log which radio stations you listen to, and store details about your phone contacts and calendar if you've synced them. Some vehicles also record cabin temperature preferences, seat adjustments, fuel consumption patterns, and even which doors you open.
The data collection happens continuously while the car is running or even parked if it has an active cellular connection. Manufacturers use this stream to improve vehicle performance, develop new features, and train artificial intelligence systems. They also sell or share anonymized data with insurance companies, traffic analysis firms, and third-party developers. The specific data points vary by manufacturer and model year, but the basic principle is the same: your vehicle is a rolling data collection device.
Key Takeaways
- Connected cars transmit location, speed, braking patterns, and entertainment choices to manufacturers continuously, whether you actively use connected features or not.
- Manufacturers retain this data indefinitely in most cases and may sell anonymized versions to insurers, traffic firms, and app developers.
- You can disable some data collection through vehicle settings or your manufacturer's mobile app, but turning off all collection usually requires disconnecting the cellular modem entirely.
- Your vehicle's privacy policy is separate from your phone's privacy policy, and opting out of one does not automatically opt you out of the other.
- Insurance companies increasingly request access to vehicle data, and some offer discounts for sharing driving behavior information.
Where your location data goes and who can see it
GPS location is one of the most sensitive data points your car collects. Manufacturers track your vehicle's position in real time through the cellular connection built into the infotainment system or a separate connected module. This location history is stored on manufacturer servers and can reveal patterns about where you work, where you worship, which doctors you visit, and where you spend your evenings.
Manufacturers claim they use location data to improve navigation services, send you alerts about nearby service centers, and provide emergency roadside information. However, location data is also valuable to insurance companies, which may request access to it as a condition of offering certain policy discounts. Some manufacturers have sold location data to data brokers, who then resell it to third parties. Law enforcement can also request location records from manufacturers through subpoena, though the legal standards for doing so are still evolving.
To see what location data your manufacturer is collecting, check your vehicle's privacy policy or your account settings in the manufacturer's mobile app. Most apps allow you to view your vehicle's location history and delete it, though deletion from your phone does not necessarily delete it from the manufacturer's servers. Some vehicles allow you to disable location services entirely through the settings menu, but this may also disable navigation features and emergency information.
How driving behavior data affects your insurance rates
Insurance companies have long wanted access to how you actually drive, not just your age and accident history. Connected car data gives them exactly that. Insurers can now see your speed, acceleration patterns, braking force, time of day you drive, and whether you exceed posted speed limits. Some insurers offer programs like Allstate's Drivewise or State Farm's Drive Safe & Save that use this data to calculate discounts—typically 10 to 30 percent off your premium if you drive safely.
The catch is that sharing this data is voluntary, but opting out may mean you pay higher rates than customers who share. Insurers argue that safe drivers should pay less, which is mathematically true. However, the data can also work against you: aggressive acceleration, hard braking, or driving at night can increase your rates even if you've never had an accident. Some insurers also use connected car data to deny claims if they determine your driving behavior contributed to a loss.
If you have a connected car and carry insurance, check whether your insurer has requested access to your vehicle data. You can usually see this in your policy documents or by calling your agent. If you want to share data for a discount, you'll need to authorize the connection through your vehicle's settings or the insurer's app. If you don't want to share, you can decline—but confirm with your insurer whether this affects your rates or may be able to access for certain discounts.
What you can actually disable in your vehicle's settings
The level of control you have over data collection depends on your vehicle's manufacturer and model year. Most vehicles allow you to disable specific features like location sharing, voice recording, or cellular connectivity through the infotainment system settings. However, disabling one feature does not necessarily disable all data collection—your vehicle may still collect and store data locally even if it's not transmitting it.
Common settings you can usually control include: turning off location services (which may disable navigation and emergency information), disabling voice assistant recording, opting out of manufacturer data collection programs through the mobile app, and disconnecting your phone from the vehicle's Bluetooth system. Some vehicles also allow you to disable the cellular modem entirely, which stops all wireless transmission but may prevent emergency calling and remote features from working.
The most comprehensive way to stop data transmission is to disconnect the vehicle's cellular modem or SIM card, but this requires technical knowledge and may void your warranty. Before attempting this, contact your manufacturer's customer service to understand what features will stop working. Many owners find that disabling location services and opting out of manufacturer data programs through the mobile app strikes a reasonable balance between privacy and functionality.
How to read your vehicle's privacy policy
Every major automaker publishes a privacy policy that explains what data they collect, how long they keep it, and who they share it with. These policies are often 10 to 20 pages long and written in legal language, but they contain the specific answers to what happens to your data. You can find your manufacturer's privacy policy on their website, usually under a "Privacy" or "Legal" footer link, or by searching "[Manufacturer name] privacy policy."
When reading the policy, look for these specific sections: what data is collected (location, speed, phone contacts, etc.), how long it's retained (some manufacturers keep it indefinitely), who it's shared with (insurers, app developers, data brokers), and whether you can request deletion. Pay attention to language about "anonymized" or "aggregated" data—manufacturers often claim data is anonymous even when it could be re-identified by combining it with other information.
Most policies also explain your rights to access, correct, or delete your data. Some manufacturers allow you to request a copy of all data they hold about you and your vehicle, though the process can take weeks. If you find the policy unclear, contact the manufacturer's privacy office directly—most have a dedicated email address or phone number listed in the policy itself.
Third-party apps and what access they request
Connected car platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto create another data pathway. When you use these systems, you're not just connecting your phone to your car—you're allowing the car's infotainment system to access your phone's location, contacts, calendar, and messages. The vehicle manufacturer can see which apps you use and how often, even if the app itself doesn't transmit data to the manufacturer.
Third-party developers have also created apps that connect directly to your vehicle through the manufacturer's API (process programming interface). Apps like Automatic, Zubie, and various fleet management tools can access real-time vehicle data including location, speed, and fuel consumption. Before installing any third-party app that connects to your vehicle, check what permissions it requests and read its privacy policy separately from your vehicle's policy.
Some third-party apps are designed specifically to collect and analyze your driving data for insurance discounts or personal tracking. Others are designed for fleet managers or parents monitoring teenage drivers. In all cases, you're creating an additional data pathway beyond what the manufacturer collects. If you use third-party apps, regularly review which ones have access to your vehicle data and revoke access to any you no longer use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely turn off my car's data collection?
You can disable many features through settings, but completely stopping all data collection usually requires disconnecting the cellular modem or SIM card. This prevents wireless transmission but may disable emergency calling, remote features, and over-the-air updates. Contact your manufacturer first to understand what stops working before attempting this.
Do I have to share my driving data with my insurance company?
Sharing is voluntary, but some insurers offer discounts only to customers who participate in their data-sharing programs. If you decline, confirm with your insurer whether you'll pay higher rates or lose access to certain discounts. You can change your decision at any time.
How long do manufacturers keep my location history?
This varies by manufacturer. Some keep location data for 12 months, others indefinitely. Check your vehicle's privacy policy for the specific retention period. Most policies allow you to request deletion, though deletion from your phone doesn't may provide deletion from the manufacturer's servers.
What happens to my data if I sell my car?
This depends on the manufacturer. Some automatically delete all data associated with your account when you transfer ownership, while others require you to manually request deletion. Contact the manufacturer's customer service before selling to understand their process and may support your data is removed from their systems.
Can police access my vehicle's location data?
Law enforcement can request location data from manufacturers through subpoena, though legal standards for this are still developing. Manufacturers are not required to notify you if they receive such a request. If you're concerned about this, consult an attorney about your privacy rights in your state.