BMW worried about misuse of connected car data. Has our back for now

[Mark]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW worried about misuse of connected car data. Has our back for now

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An interesting piece from ft.com highlights how BMW is sounding a bit of an alarm about connected car data. The data itself is not bad, but they are noting that there is pressure from advertising companies and silicon valley tech companies to get their hands on that data.

Ian Robertson, BMW board member, is quoted as saying "There's plenty of people out there saying: give us all the data you’ve got and we can tell you what we can do with it" ... "And we’re saying: No thank you".

He goes on to bring up some interesting examples of potential use or misuse of the data. He cites the car's ability to know whether an adult or child is in the car, based on the airbag system's weight sensor. Then based on the engine start time, they could tell how long the car has been running, based on the navigation system they could see the car is about to pass a McDonald's. This would be prime fodder for advertisement, because as he puts it: "from the navigation system, they’re about to pass a McDonald’s, the car’s been running for three hours and the child’s probably hungry"

Scary stuff.

Source: Financial Times

[radiofrequency]

For now they have our backs on this, however the trend appears to be ongoing intrusion into our private lives. Perhaps Mike Benvo could code a "disconnect" included with his BPM Tunes when, inevitably, our travel data and driving habits are sold to the highest bidder.

[EzequielR]

Holy crap, that is incredible.

[MalibuBimmer]

All new BMWs have GPS tracking for the BMW Assist and TeleServices systems but on the BMW app downloadable to a smart phone you can't track the car. The new i8 app allows you to track the location of your i8 if you enable tracking on the iDrive in car.

[VMRWheels]

WHOA crazy.

[3M TAPE]

Can owners have access to these data?

[pokerface]

not that hard to imagine. XBoxOne has gesture control and voice control pretty much active while the system is "standby". Voice command has been in cars for awhile, and while still rudimentary, the car probably contains a lot more processing power than a gaming console. Gesture control is already being demonstrated at this year's CES.

They could easily put all that stuff on stealth watching you, your telematics, oh and your Facebook is plugged in on idrive so they have your personal details anyway.

/tinfoilhat

[rolltidef32]

If there is ever a commercial playing in my car, at that point BMW will either need to pay me to drive the car, or prorate my car payment based on the money they earn.

I'm more worried about wives and the government tracking me than Silicon Valley. :-)

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

All new BMWs have GPS tracking for the BMW Assist and TeleServices systems but on the BMW app downloadable to a smart phone you can't track the car. The new i8 app allows you to track the location of your i8 if you enable tracking on the iDrive in car.

Exactly. I'm sure a computer-savvy 16 year old could somehow view a car's GPS data in real time.

[BEMR]

A lot of guys don't even realize this go to Google / travel history and you will see that everywhere you've been every time you've been there every part of every piece of map will be in that history. I believe Apple has the ability for that too but I'm on Android and use it frequently it ties into your Gmail account. If your GPS is off then its plots the coordinates with straight lines and triangles if your GPS is on you will see every single street within six feet where you've been and as you hit the cell site the exact time will also be recorded easiest way to see this is from your PC.

It's even so accurate that if the GPS is on and you are in your home it will show you what time you went into each room when you got up and when you went to sleep assuming your GPS is on within five or six feet of accuracy. And we can do this from all of our phones to see a larger map access on your PC.

[Diver]

It isn't just advertising. Crash going 75 in a 30 zone and go to jail because the data was recorded.

[Stash21]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

If there is ever a commercial playing in my car, at that point BMW will either need to pay me to drive the car, or prorate my car payment based on the money they earn.

I'm more worried about wives and the government tracking me than Silicon Valley. :-)

You have more than one wife?

[boostaholic786]

^^^Honestly that sounds dangerous if true, which I trust what your saying because it makes perfect sense. I didnt know it could get within 5-6ft though...Really an invasion of privacy going into anybodys hands...Especially the government.....

WOW, I just thought of something really shitty and probably already have the ability to do it considering what technology is today. If the GPS is that sophisticated and the I-drives are that advanced, I bet the law inforcment could start writing out tickets if all of a sudden were going 80mph in a 60mph zone I would have to be on a life long payment plan or if I was to do a pull from 60mph-180mph I would probably have police officers show up at my house to arrest me... These are reasons why technology is a very scary thing but at the same time be used for extremely good things as well....this is all hypothetically but it wouldnt surprise me the government making automakers give them that data and then bmw is shit out of luck and has to either not have it or comply with what the government terms would be...

[clbmw]

Scary that there are companies willing to do this, and good that BMW are sticking with data protection.

As for McDonalds, sat nav and time data won't make any difference; I know where all my area McDonald's are and I know it's relatively unhealthy, I don't forget any of that. It's whether I want to eat junk food that is the decision I consciously make each time; if the car told me I'd eaten loads of salad this week and driven to some nice places for walks, runs and bike rides and I can "treat" myself it might slightly shift my decision making, but no one is going to program that.

IMO if companies want to advertise in a car it should be opt in only and they should subsidise the car cost by say 50% for the privilege of intruding into your life.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by boostaholic786

^^^Honestly that sounds dangerous if true, which I trust what your saying because it makes perfect sense. I didnt know it could get within 5-6ft though...Really an invasion of privacy going into anybodys hands...Especially the government.....

WOW, I just thought of something really shitty and probably already have the ability to do it considering what technology is today. If the GPS is that sophisticated and the I-drives are that advanced, I bet the law inforcment could start writing out tickets if all of a sudden were going 80mph in a 60mph zone I would have to be on a life long payment plan or if I was to do a pull from 60mph-180mph I would probably have police officers show up at my house to arrest me... These are reasons why technology is a very scary thing but at the same time be used for extremely good things as well....this is all hypothetically but it wouldnt surprise me the government making automakers give them that data and then bmw is shit out of luck and has to either not have it or comply with what the government terms would be...

I doubt it'd ever get that draconian, but it could easily give warnings about speed limits and issue fines if not corrected within say 15secs in safety crucial areas like outside schools, crowded pedestrianised zones etc.

But very few would buy a car that fined you for doing 77mph on the motorway.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Diver

It isn't just advertising. Crash going 75 in a 30 zone and go to jail because the data was recorded.

AFAIK some data is already recorded on key fob

[wdeerfield]

just wait till they introduce the ///m performance data option.

i kid, but just think if all the cars that log speed, accelaration, etc.. and it is immediately forwarded to your insurance company or the police.

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

just wait till they introduce the ///m performance data option.

i kid, but just think if all the cars that log speed, accelaration, etc.. and it is immediately forwarded to your insurance company or the police.

There are already insurance companies which have a device to plug into you ODBII port which tracks this. Yes it is voluntary to reduce your premium due to safe driving habits. I worry that since insurance is mandatory the insurance companies could make this mandatory

[BMWKLR]

Or do what I do, If I see an advertisement I click it so it costs them money and wherever possible, dont buy the product that was advertised. Imagine if this caught on.

[DVC]

The day I see ads on my iDrive screen is the day I deactivate "ConnectedDrive" entirely.

[e92proper]

how bout you just get idrive/nav in your car?

[Holset]

Scary stuff!
But nothing that i have not known since before.