UK drivers speak out on ‘connected car’ data

Vehicle manufacturers should not automatically own data generated from connected cars, motorists say

UK drivers speak out on ‘connected car’ data
Connected cars provide drivers with real time services based on their location and preferences but the question is who owns the data these cars generate?

A survey carried out by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) found that 71 per cent of UK respondents believe the car owner should own ‘connected car’ data and 46 per cent said the data should belong to the car driver.

Just seven per cent said that the car manufacturer should automatically own the data.

Connected cars equipped with sensors, GPS and communication devices are able to collect, store and send an increasing amount of data about the driver’s motoring habits as well as vehicle health.

Industry threat

Such cars are already available in the UK market and give companies the ability to offer personalised services.

However, vehicle manufacturers currently control this data and many aim to become the sole service provider for all car-related needs.

It’s a subject that was discussed recently at the IAAF 2015 conferance, during which Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive, described a growing threat for the aftermarket.

She said: “Last year we talked about E-call and telematics, now we’re talking about the connected car.

“We’re facing a potential lock-out from all new vehicles and I genuinely believe that this is a much greater threat than we faced ten years ago with block exemption.”

Legislative framework

Neil Pattemore, FIGEFA representative, also spoke at the IAAF conference, raising further concerns about data privacy and the obvious need for a legislative framework.

He said: “Today we connect to a vehicle using a standardised connector and from that data we are able to offer diagnostics, gain access to repair and maintenance information and reset components when they are replace.

“Legislation absolutely protects the rights for independent operators, providing a level playing field and competitive choice for consumers.

“However, vehicles are becoming connected and the legislators in Brussels are acutely aware of the complexity that this brings not just to our market but to others as well.”

Vehicle data

Neil described two types of data; ‘static data’ (vehicle manufacturer repair and maintenance information) and ‘dynamic data’, generated by the vehicle.

Vehicle manufacturers are already actively monitoring the aftermarket with the claim that they need liability traceability, so they know who works on the vehicle and when.

It’s an issue which aftermarket associations are fighting.

The question of who owns the data generated by connected cars remains unclear and poses a very real threat for independent garages.

For Edmund King, AA president, connected cars offer “a vast array of new and exciting services” but said that “drivers have a right to demand ‘My car. My data’.”

He said: “We support the FIA’s campaign aimed at ensuring there is greater transparency with this rapidly developing motoring technology.

While you may not have come across a ‘connected car’ in you workshop yet, experts say the technology is a very real threat for independent garages. Share your concerns about the connected car in the comments below this article.

6 Comments

  1. If the VM’s wish to have any Data generated after the sale of the new car then it should be the owners/ operators choice and they should have to purchase this information, everything comes at a cost, as they know all too well!

    If they are not checked and legislation brought in, there will be only one looser anybody in the after market who earns a living repairing modern vehicles.

    Law enforcement is another issue, when and what can be derived from the on board data and who will police the agencies who have access.

    This is a very serious issues! Whose to say the extracted vehicle data information is 100% correct VAG’s software was corrupt!

    Reply
  2. If the VM’s wish to have any Data generated after the sale of the new car then it should be the owners/ operators choice and they should have to purchase this information, everything comes at a cost, as they know all too well!

    If they are not checked and legislation brought in, there will be only one looser anybody in the after market who earns a living repairing modern vehicles.

    Law enforcement is another issue, when and what can be derived from the on board data and who will police the agencies who have access.

    This is a very serious issues! Whose to say the extracted vehicle data information is 100% correct VAG’s software was corrupt!

    Reply
  3. We are now getting cars you can not reset the service light without connecting to manufacturers website and paying fee. How can this be legal if they are not supposed to force owners to the dealers for servicing.

    Reply
  4. We are now getting cars you can not reset the service light without connecting to manufacturers website and paying fee. How can this be legal if they are not supposed to force owners to the dealers for servicing.

    Reply
  5. I think goverments need to get together and put an end to manufactures trying to keep independents away from there cars due the fact it would be devistating to many econemies if they actualy succeeded think of the job losses and loss of revenue if small garages all of a sudden didnt exsist my town isnt a big one but we have over 30 independent garages

    Reply
  6. I think goverments need to get together and put an end to manufactures trying to keep independents away from there cars due the fact it would be devistating to many econemies if they actualy succeeded think of the job losses and loss of revenue if small garages all of a sudden didnt exsist my town isnt a big one but we have over 30 independent garages

    Reply

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