I was reading about privacy in the owners manual for my 2017 Prius Three. I should not have been shocked because so many companies have a complete lack of respect for our privacy. This, however, this is too much. Toyota records almost everything we do in our cars. They even transmit images back to their headquarters. I'm not sure how they do that. They say they protect your privacy. Ha. That's a good one. Look at the fiasco with Equifax, Sony, Yahoo, the major hack by China that revealed information from U.S. government security clearances... and many more. And how about ransomware? The wise guys at Toyota and at the dealership don't tell you this: "When you purchase a vehicle and do not opt out of Connected Vehicle Services, you specifically consent to our electronic collection and use of your Vehicle Data. You also consent to the storage of your Vehicle Data wherever we designate." I've delt with identity theft so this is a big issue with me. For those who are interested you can opt out. 1-800-331-4331 I tried to post a link for an email address and more information but this site requires a minimum of four posts before you're allowed to include a link. You can see the web address at the bottom of the first picture (page 10).
Welcome! I do not believe the Vehicle Data Recordings are an issue to me because my Trim Two does not have the navigation & data capabilities (Connected Vehicle Services). The Event Data Recorder is mainly used to investigate accidents, I believe. Here is the link you wanted to post. Privacy and protection
EDR is nothing new (any vehicle made after approximately 2000 has had an EDR that records accelerator position, brake pedal application, seatbelt use for about 5 or 10 seconds prior to the collision). But the other stuff is new, yes. Someone printed out a diagnostic from the dealership and it recorded every hard (full throttle) acceleration and hard braking with a time stamp lol. In that member's case, they were trying to find out why there was a lost of power on a mountain road (hence the full throttle applications because the car was down on power). I've already posted about the image recording from the LDW camera (which also explains why Toyota wants it standard on all vehicles). I believe it will only record in the event of a collision (just like EDR). Making it standard helps Toyota improve its software for collision mitigation (and I'm guessing it's cheaper than what Volvo has done for decades - which is send out a crew to the scene of a collision that involves a Volvo in Sweden. I'm guessing Volvo has other methods now given it's the 21st century). But you have TSS-P in your 2017 which will have the other recordings (in the event of a collision).
I believe the data is maintained in the vehicle, though not automatically sent off to Toyota or an unnamed partner.
Why do you say that when the manual clearly states that it may be sent to Toyota without notification to you? The days of companies ethically handling data are long past. If they can make a buck selling the data they will.
Europe tends to frown on uninhibited intellectual corporate snooping... Except when it's done by a State's Government of course!
I say that because my vehicle does not have those features such as navigation and data connectivity. It only has radio & Bluetooth. The EDR is hardware located in my vehicle. Unless the dealer surreptitiously reads it during a service call, Toyota does not have access to the data. My car with 11K miles has only been into the dealer service once. I performed my own oil change.
Yes, this is disconcerting. Thank you for the number to call to opt-out. I will be calling that number, though I have a feeling that is not going to keep me private anymore. I use browser. I have smart phone. I search by Google. I’m sure between Google and Microsoft and Apple, Big Brother is always watching us. George Orwell was off by a few decade, but it is “1984” now.
Watching all the K-dramas I do, I'm glad we don't have the black box videos in US cars that are depicted as in South Korea. South Korea seems to have at least as many CCTV cameras as the UK, and the black box videos the cars take there can appear pretty damning, at least on TV. Please correct me if I'm wrong,
This data is sent to CarFax. CarFax then sends it to my insurance company. In my case, this results in lower insurance premiums because I am a careful driver and I drive fewer miles than a typical driver. I'm not sure how I feel about it all.
Almost every purchase they ask for my phone number. I refuse to give it t them. We can't stop the robo calling to our phones.
