Hello,

Last year, Mozilla made it official – car companies are the worst category of products we have *ever* reviewed for privacy. Our research exposed how car companies use a web of in-car sensors, microphones, cameras, apps and other internet connected devices to make a full profile of your life… and then predictably, some companies even sell this information for profit.

Since this investigation, car companies have been under immense pressure – from consumers, lawmakers, journalists, and our movement. Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve achieved so far:

• Mozilla presented our research on car privacy to a couple Members of European Parliament to brief them on the issue.
• EU lawmakers have used Mozilla’s research to flag the lack of privacy protections for drivers in the European Commission on three occasions.
• One EU lawmaker has called for new laws to prevent cars from being used to spy on drivers – and again, cited our research.
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has released a firm warning to car companies, saying they will take action against any illegal collection, use or disclosure of personal information.
• Toyota and Lexus now grant all U.S. consumers the right to delete their personal data.
• The Privacy Commissioner in Australia opened an inquiry saying Australia's privacy laws aren't equipped to deal with what cars do.

These victories show our movement’s ability to have an impact, and they were made possible by generous donations from people who want to hold companies accountable for their data practices. If you’re ready to protect people’s privacy and hold irresponsible companies accountable, we hope you’ll consider adding a donation today.

Can you make a $10 USD donation to Mozilla today? Your contribution will support the next phase of this important campaign to end the horrible data collection and privacy practices of car companies and hold irresponsible companies accountable.

There’s still much more change that needs to happen in order to stop car companies from unethically collecting, sharing, and selling your data. The burden shouldn’t be on consumers to read a complex 9,461-word privacy policy, and then recite that policy to anyone who opens their cars’ doors. Nor should the burden be on consumers to make “better choices,” when all 25 car brands Mozilla researched earned our *Privacy Not Included warning label.

Mozilla’s research exposed the invasive data practices of car companies – and since then, lawmakers and regulators have started to take this issue seriously. Car companies have made important, but incremental changes to their data privacy policies. Media outlets, including the New York Times, have published major news pieces about this issue.

Momentum towards securing sweeping and permanent changes to the way that car companies treat our personal data has started, but we’re not there yet.

What we still need is greater awareness to encourage more of us to hold car companies accountable for their terrible privacy practices. We need serious investigations into the ways that car companies are handing over our personal data for profit and to law enforcement without a warrant. And we need to use the strength of our movement to rein in these car companies – for good.

But winning these changes will require keeping up the pressure through long-term advocacy efforts, which is sustained by grassroots donations from people like you.

Will you consider making a $10 USD donation to support this global movement to secure privacy rights for everyone, everywhere? Together we can achieve sweeping and permanent changes to how car companies treat our personal data.

Thank you for all you’ve done to advance this campaign, and all you do for the internet.

Michael Whitney
Director, Digital Engagement
Mozilla