Your car is selling your driving habits, and your insurance bill shows it

October 5, 2026

By Kim Komando

Your car knows where you sleep, where you work and how hard you hit the brakes. Now we know who it’s telling.

Researchers at Northeastern University and Consumer Reports tested 21 late-model cars from 17 automakers. They also picked apart 30 car apps.

Nineteen of the 21 cars sent data to at least one outside company. Seven apps handed over VINs, emails, phone numbers or precise location to tracking and ad firms. Pairing the app roughly doubled what reached them. Think Google, Meta and Microsoft.

📜 You clicked ‘I agree’

Nobody reads the fine print. Only 9% of Americans say they always read a privacy policy before agreeing, per Pew Research. That tap in the dealership parking lot? You may have signed off on all of it.

Here’s what’s tracked, and what it costs you. Spoiler, it’s a lot.

We’re talking speed, hard braking, rapid acceleration, late-night trips, miles driven, phone use behind the wheel and where every trip starts and ends.

Data brokers bundle it into a driver profile and sell it to insurers and banks. GM made about $20 million selling driving data before the FTC banned it from sharing with consumer reporting agencies for five years. In Maryland, 24% of drivers in telematics programs saw their premiums go up at renewal. That’s your cash walking out the door.

🔒 Lock it down

Before you pair, open your car’s app and find Settings > Privacy. Say no to data sharing, marketing and “driving behavior” programs.

• On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. 
• On Android, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Ads and tap Delete advertising ID.

📢 The best move

Take steps now to stop new leaks. The old stuff? Brokers are still selling it. 

Incogni’s free exposure scanner shows which people-search sites list your name, address and phone number. Run your free scan here.

Then make those sites delete it. I’ve used Incogni for that since October 2023. Get 60% off with code KIM60.

Here’s what you get:

• Automated removals from 420+ data brokers and people search sites
• Recurring requests, so brokers can’t quietly relist you
• Removal of multiple emails, addresses and phone numbers
• Unlimited plan adds custom removals from 3,000+ more sites, plus live phone support
• Family plans cover up to 5 people
• Dashboard and regular privacy reports
• Removals independently assessed by Deloitte
• 30-day money-back guarantee

🗣️ Text/post this stat: Only 9% of Americans always read a privacy policy, and your car is counting on it. Get the fix at GetKim.com.

📩 Send this to someone who just bought a new car and paired the app in the dealership parking lot.