QOTD: How Do We Keep Our Data Safe?

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Matt's piece about automakers selling drivers' data on the cheap will enrage most people, regardless of anyone's place on the political spectrum.

So, the question is, what do we do about it?


As Matt notes, the government will likely be getting involved. So, is regulation the way to go here? If so, what type of regulation? Can any regulations be enforced?

Or can we depend on the automakers to voluntarily sell less data? Or at least be able to make sure it's anonymized? I am skeptical of that one.

Is there some other way that I am missing here, save for us all just buying 25-year-old cars?

Sound off below.

[Image: Pungu x/Shutterstock.com]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 30 comments
  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Jul 31, 2024
    Don't produce it in the first place.
  • El scotto El scotto on Jul 31, 2024
    There's data and then there's data. Mr. Healey's grocery list? Somewhat valuable. Doubly so if the marketing department is chiming in. Mr. Healey's PIN or security code on the back of his debit card? I'm glad the banks pay their white hat/ethical hackers really, really well. Tim, Mr. Whiskas deserves the best kitty nums!
  • Namesakeone It should be a name that evoques the wild west, that emphasizes the go-anywhere nature of how an SUV should be used. Something like a wild animal, maybe something like a horse. I've got it! How about . . . Mustang! Oh, wait. They already did that, didn't they?
  • Slavuta There Used to be Pontiac Trans Sport.... That "Trans Sport" part has a totally new meaning these days
  • 210delray You need to change the headline -- it's a 2025 model.
  • Jeff How about Aspire for a new subcompact crossover from Ford because it aspires to be bigger and its buyers would aspire for a better vehicle if they could afford it.
  • Jeff Carlos Travares wants to cut costs by 1/3. I don't see Chrysler or Dodge surviving too much longer especially since they are being literally starved for product. The success of the new Charger could extend Dodge a few more years but a failure might be a quick end to Dodge. I could see Stellantis moving more manufacturing for Jeep and Ram to Mexico which I believe will eventually be the only surviving brands of the old Chrysler. As for the Durango if it continues it will not be for too many more years it is an outdated product that I doubt will be redesigned especially when Jeep has a comparable product. Stellantis needs to address the high dealer inventory level by giving better incentives and low interest rates to clear excessive inventory.
Next