Connected cars leak sensitive data to third parties, study finds

A new study of 21 vehicles and 30 companion apps reveals widespread data sharing in the connected-vehicle ecosystem. Researchers found that 19 out of 21 vehicles sent traffic to at least one third-party domain, including advertisers and trackers. Seven of the 30 apps transmitted sensitive identifiers like VINs, emails, and precise location data to third parties. The study highlights the lack of consumer control over data once it leaves the vehicle, with manufacturers often shifting blame to users.