Exchanged My Outdated Honda Element, a Car Equivalent of an Antique Brick Phone, for a Sophisticated Toyota 4Runner; However, Suspicious Tracking Technology in Vehicle Appears to be Compromising My Private Data.
In the ever-evolving world of technology, modern vehicles, including the newly purchased 2024 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Off Road by Bess Byers, are equipped with advanced features that collect a wide range of data. This article aims to help Toyota customers, such as Bess Byers and Philip Siefke, understand how they can manage their vehicle's data collection and privacy settings.
Bess Byers, a resident of Wallace, Idaho since 2022, found her dream vehicle in a Toyota 4Runner. However, she recently became concerned about the data her vehicle collects and shares without her explicit consent. This issue has also been raised by Philip Siefke, who is suing Toyota, Progressive Insurance, and Connected Analytic Services for allegedly spying on him without his knowledge or consent.
To determine if your Toyota model (or most modern vehicles) is collecting personal data without your explicit consent, there are several steps you should take:
1. **Review Vehicle and Connected Services Privacy Settings** - Access your car’s settings or app, often found on the infotainment screen or within the Toyota app, to review what data is being collected. - Carefully review each option to see if you have opted in or out of data sharing. - You can typically disable location tracking, biometric data collection, and other privacy-invasive features directly from these settings.
2. **Review Toyota’s Privacy Policy and Data Practices** - Consult privacy documentation, accessible via the infotainment system or Toyota’s official website, to understand what data is collected, how it is used, and with whom it is shared. - Be aware that consent may be buried in lengthy user agreements when activating connected services.
3. **Monitor Data Transmitted to Toyota** - Review any dashboards or online accounts linked to your vehicle to see what information is being sent. - If uncertain, contact Toyota customer support for clarification on what specific data your model collects and how to opt out.
4. **Stay Informed About Industry Practices** - Know that Toyota, like other major automakers, collects a wide range of data, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, device IDs, location, and diagnostics. - Compare Toyota's data collection practices with other brands, such as Audi or Tesla, which may be more privacy-conscious.
By regularly reviewing and updating your privacy settings both in the vehicle and in any associated Toyota app, you can help minimize data collection. Bess Byers, for instance, was able to turn off the tracking technology on her Toyota 4Runner by downloading the manufacturer's app, declining all connected services features, and opting out of data sharing through VehiclePrivacyReport.com.
As more and more vehicles become connected, it is crucial for consumers to take control of their data and understand how it is being used. Bess Byers encourages other car owners to check their car's privacy settings and make informed decisions about their data.
[1] Toyota Vehicle Privacy Settings: https://www.toyota.com/privacy [2] Toyota Privacy Policy: https://www.toyota.com/privacy/policy/ [3] Toyota Data Collection Practices: https://www.toyota.com/connected/privacy/ [4] Toyota Customer Support: https://www.toyota.com/contactus/ [5] Vehicle Privacy Report: https://vehicleprivacyreport.com/
Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter, specialises in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru. His recent report on Toyota's data collection practices has sparked a conversation about consumer privacy in the automotive industry.
- Denis Flierl's report on Toyota's data collection practices has sparked a conversation about consumer privacy in the automotive industry, which is a critical issue in the ever-evolving world of technology and data-and-cloud-computing.
- With the increasing trend of connected vehicles, understanding and managing personal data collection and privacy settings has become essential in industries like finance, transportation, and automotive. This is particularly relevant for customers like Bess Byers and Philip Siefke who own modern vehicles, such as the 2024 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Off Road.
- As more sophisticated technology is integrated into vehicles, the need for transparency and control over data collection becomes increasingly important in the finance and transportation sectors, and technology companies should prioritize this concern to maintain trust with their customers.
