Last week, we agreed and established an understanding of whether a modern/new car can get different kinds of things and information from you. Some realize, but many don’t, and the objective of my article is just to shed some light by opening your mind and eyes to what is possible today—yes, thanks (or not) to the advancement in technology and the information superhighway.
Before I get into how it works and what kind of information a “connected car" can obtain from the driver and everyone inside the car, let’s briefly redefine a “connected car.”.
In its simplest form, a “connected car,” or as some may also refer to it as a “smart car,” is any vehicle that is connected to the Internet (via a mobile cellular network, e.g., Ooredoo, Omantel, or Vodafone in Oman), equipped with technology (Bluetooth, WiFi, sensors, GPS, etc.), and can transmit data (as a form of information) to other external devices and networks.
I trust most cars today have this, or can have it installed via third-party, and for sure most new cars will have it in the future as a standard or by default. I wouldn’t be surprised that discussion is in the offing by our regulators now (Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, TRA). Three of the cars I drive today are tech-enabled, and I can confidently state without hesitance that the majority of the readers possess the same—welcome to reality.
As noted last week, a number of organizations are working on autonomous (aka self-driving) cars. I may touch on this in my future articles. But today, “connected cars” are a reality. It has been reported that over 25 major car brands are collecting data from their users or drivers. Over 80% (including the majority of you probably) didn’t and don’t know this.
I read some research lately that reported about 59% of car owners connect their mobile phones to their cars (I do it, and I am sure many of you too). Question? Are you aware that by connecting and syncing your phone to the car, you are actually not only using it to listen to music (by pairing your phone via Bluetooth), you may also be sharing your contacts, text messages, and even some of the applications you use? Did you notice a contact name from your phone address book appears on the car dashboard when a call is made instead of just his/her mobile number?
Did you also notice some of the apps on your phone (including WhatsApp and Google Maps) can be operated via your car? So you do agree that your car can have access to your phone data, and you do agree that this data can be shared and exposed since you’re connected anyways (that’s the beauty of communication networks, right?). There you go. I just made a confession on reality and the possibility of a “connected car.”
What information does your “connected car” share? Almost everything that ties everyone who is in the car—from the music one listens to, discussions that happen inside the car, locations visited, etc. How can that happen? Via all the kinds of sensors fitted around the car, microphones, cameras, etc. Where does the information go?
Mostly to manufacturers so they can learn about your car, performance, and driving habits, and also consequently some would share or sell these details to insurance companies and/or the government (enforcement agencies per se). Yes, an additional stream of revenue for car manufacturers, a new means of obtaining information about citizens, and lastly, a revolutionary way for insurance companies to customize their car insurance policies and offerings to you.
Can this happen today? Yes, my article last week and today has proved with a fact on the means and possibility for your kind perusal. Is this happening today? Some research online has reported on the practice being already done by some manufacturers. Should you be worried? Probably, but you will soon live with and accept the reality as you already have with your already possible to be spied on smart devices (phones and tablets).
To conclude, “connected cars” is not a future possibility but is a today affair. Some countries already have it, and Oman will sooner or later follow suit. The benefits that one can attain from such an evolution are outstanding, yet privacy too is a concern that one should keep a note off. Where you go, who you go with, and what you do and talk about inside the car will no longer stay private. I will leave this thought for you to ponder until we catch up again next week. Stay safe.
Tariq al Barwani
The author is the founder of Knowledge Oman
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