Hello, Your car knows a lot more about you than you think. That private conversation you just had with your doctor while driving home? It could have been recorded using your car’s microphones. Your trip to an abortion clinic, a gay bar, or a domestic violence shelter? It was probably collected, logged, and recorded by your car’s many sensors and GPS trackers. New research by Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included team reveals that popular global car brands — like Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, Kia, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai, Audi, and more — are collecting your deeply personal data, including your genetic information and sexual activity. They don’t just collect heaps of your personal information. They also share it, and in some cases even sell it, to advertisers, data brokers, and law enforcement. Through a web of sensors, microphones, cameras, and the phones, apps, and other connected services your car uses, car companies can create a full profile of your life. And then, predictably, this information is sold for profit. Car companies are brazenly collecting deeply personal information about people the moment they get into a car, often without explicit consent to do so. And that’s why the Mozilla community is now coming together to force car companies to respect our right to privacy. Sign the petition and tell car companies to stop their huge data collection programs that only benefit them. For many of us, cars feel like an extension of our homes. A place where we can sing at the top of our lungs, cry over a break up, or hold deeply confidential conversations with our children. But unfortunately, the privacy we can expect from our cars is disappearing. Fast. Luckily, these changes are not going unnoticed. Regulators in California have kicked off a probe into car companies’ data collection. At the same time, the European Commission is currently drafting their rules to curb data collection in cars. The dual pressure from governments and the Mozilla community could force these companies to act. When the public is aware of the realities of what companies can do with your personal information, we know we can force companies to change. Just last year, when Mozilla exposed the horrible privacy practices of mental health apps, a number of these apps changed their policies for the better. We did it then, and now we can do it again — and the more people who call on car companies to change their practices, the more likely we are to force them to change. So, if we can pile on public pressure, right now, as these investigations ramp up, we can make car companies change their policies. Can you add your name to our petition calling on car companies to stop collecting, sharing and selling our personal information? Thank you for all you do to protect privacy. Christian Bock Head of Supporter Engagement
Mozilla Foundation | 
