Drivers respond to data debate

Drivers are happy to share vehicle data as long as their anonymity is maintained.

This is according to data from Assurant’s Connected Decade report, a survey of consumer attitudes towards their connected lives.

It found the majority of UK car users were happy for vehicle-specific data to be shared where it related to maintenance, use of internal technology and external road conditions – all of which could lead to improved services for car users overall.

Among the respondents, 74% were comfortable with the technical status and operating health of their vehicles being shared, alongside three quarters of car users also responding positively to the sharing of data around external traffic, weather and road conditions.

However, Assurant’s research also uncovered that car users were deeply uncomfortable with the sharing of more vehicle-related personal data, as a result of the potentially higher risk of individual car users becoming identifiable through the data.

Risk caused as a result of location data was identified as a key area of concern, with 91% of respondents at least somewhat concerned about their car being hacked, and almost half (45%) uncomfortable with sharing their location in general. Respondents also acknowledged feeling uncomfortable with sharing data around their driving ability, including usage of connected safety and convenience features, such as automatic parking assist and emergency braking. This applied to 44% of respondents surveyed.

Sean Kent, UK client director, Automotive, at Assurant, said: “As vehicles grow ever more complex in a data-connected ecosystem, consumers want a greater degree of protection and reassurance that their data and privacy are maintained. It is clear that enabling consumers to better understand the benefits of a connected lifestyle, alongside protecting data and making support more readily accessible, will help to increase trust overall.