Smart Cars, Smarter Hackers: Are Your Data and Safety at Risk?

In an era of rapidly advancing technology, cars are becoming increasingly connected and smarter. However, this progress comes with a downside: it exposes drivers to potential cybersecurity threats, making their vehicles vulnerable to hacking attempts.

With the rise of sophisticated cyber attacks, hackers not only gain the ability to remotely manipulate a vehicle’s systems but also gain access to personal information stored within the car’s data ecosystem.

According to Andrea Amico, the founder and CEO of Privacy4Cars, a tech company specializing in resolving data privacy issues in the automotive industry, cars have become two primary sources of data. Firstly, vehicles are equipped with sensors that collect various biometric markers, including voice, iris, retina, and fingerprint recognition. As an example, Hyundai recently patented eye scanner technology to replace traditional car keys. Secondly, the devices brought inside the vehicle by drivers and passengers, such as smartphones, contribute to the vast amount of data generated. Unbeknownst to many, when these devices connect to the car via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, or screen mirroring technologies like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the vehicle downloads extensive personal information ranging from text messages, running apps, social media data, photos, and downloaded files.

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DATA AT RISK

The concerning aspect is that much of this data is stored in the cloud, which has proven to be susceptible to hacking incidents in the past. Toyota, for instance, suffered a data breach in May, exposing the car-location information of 2,150,000 drivers between November 2013 and April 2023.

Hackers exploit several entry points within cars, gaining access to in-car computer systems and potentially taking control of critical functions such as the throttle and brakes.

Notably, security experts demonstrated this vulnerability in a 2015 Wired experiment involving a Jeep Cherokee. Moreover, USB data ports and key fobs also pose risks of unauthorized access.

CAR HACKING INCREASING MENACE

Vehicle hacking is a rapidly growing problem, and as cars transform from smartphones on wheels to supercomputers on wheels, the risks are expected to multiply exponentially.

The advent of technology even enables automakers like Ford to explore displaying advertisements directly in cars. Ford has filed a patent for a system that collects data from roadside billboards via cameras and displays them on in-vehicle infotainment systems. Such developments indicate the industry’s ambition to become a dominant force in the automobile market, akin to Google’s role in the digital realm.

The global vehicle tracking system, valued at $17.37 billion in 2020, is predicted to reach $109.95 billion by the end of the decade. As vehicle manufacturers continue to incorporate more sensors into their products, consumers should brace themselves for increased surveillance and potential compromises of their privacy and security, unless industry practices improve.

Currently, due to significant gaps in federal laws, law enforcement can extract sensitive personal data from many modern vehicles without a warrant, unlike mobile devices. Amico highlights the pressing concern regarding the industry’s push to transform vehicles into software platforms, commonly referred to as “the software-defined vehicle.” This transformation will allow vehicles to send and receive information, mirroring the functionalities of smartphones. Consequently, the automotive industry aims to expand the ecosystem of companies offering services and subscriptions while extensively collecting, sharing, and selling data.

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EXPERTS WARNING

Amico warns that this convergence of mobile and in-car devices may turn cars into platforms that generate consumer insights, similar to laptops and smartphones, but with more insidious consequences and greater difficulty in avoiding surveillance.

He emphasizes that attacks will come from hackers enticed by the increasing amount and value of data collected by companies across the automotive ecosystem, as well as malicious individuals seeking to exploit these technologies for purposes such as stalking, harassment, fraud, theft, and harm.

As vehicles continue to evolve into highly connected and data-driven entities, the need for robust cybersecurity measures and stringent data privacy regulations becomes paramount.

The automotive industry must prioritize the development of secure systems and practices to safeguard drivers’ personal information and protect them from potential cyber threats. Additionally, regulatory bodies need to address the gaps in existing laws to ensure that individuals’ rights to privacy are upheld, both within their vehicles and in the broader digital landscape.

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Cars are becoming increasingly connected and smarter, making drivers vulnerable to hacking.
• Hackers can remotely control a vehicle’s systems and access personal information.
• Cars can produce up to 25 gigabytes of data per hour, and this is expected to increase in the future.
• Biometric markers, such as voice and retina recognition, are collected through vehicle sensors.
• Personal devices brought into the car can download various information, including text messages and social media data.
• Data stored in the cloud is susceptible to hacking, as demonstrated by recent breaches.
• Vehicle hacking allows hackers to take control of critical systems, including throttle and brakes.
• The global vehicle tracking system is projected to be worth $109.95 billion by the end of the decade.
• Vehicle manufacturers are adding more sensors, leading to increased surveillance and potential privacy issues.
• Current laws have gaps that allow law enforcement to access personal data stored in cars without a warrant.
• The push to turn vehicles into software platforms raises concerns about data collection and privacy.
• Cars are seen as platforms for generating consumer insights, but this raises the risk of stalking and harm.
• Strong cybersecurity measures and data privacy regulations are crucial to protect drivers and their information.

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