The idea of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ novel, that we are all being watched, is a concept which has been widely explored. The theme is commonly seen in reality shows including Big Brother, science fiction films such as the Truman Show and also in everyday life affecting you and I in the on-going debate about consumer’s online privacy. The question we ask is ‘do we need to start worrying about who is monitoring us in our own vehicles?’ We pose this question because the European Parliament has just passed a law which states all cars built from 2018 will now need to be fitted with in-car telematics tracking technology.
Although telematics is not a relatively new technology – Over the last decade the technology has commonly features on F1 cars and also commercial vehicles – however the devices are now being installed in passenger cars on the assembly line by the manufacturer, meaning that your car may already feature this technology.
Telematics often comes in the form of a small smartphone sized self-contained device which is typically known as a ‘Black-Box’ or an ‘Ingenie-Box’. The device includes a GPS allowing location to be monitored, along with a high frequency motion sensor allowing the manufacturers to monitor how the vehicle is being driven. The data recorded is stored and transmitted using a SIM card.
The tracking device is being perceived as a safety feature, and we do agree that when its functions are used appropriately the device can provide the police/emergency services with vital information. However, there is also a growing fear which has been highlight by FIGIEFA, which suggests that the technology is also being used by leading manufacturers in order to generate sales – something which could potentially force smaller, independently run automotive companies out of the market.
Real Life Scenario of a BMW new model owner – The latest BMW vehicles contains the tracking feature:
Simon owns a BMW M5. On his way to work on morning a warning light flashes on his dashboard and a phone starts ringing through the car’s blue tooth system. Simon answers the call and is connected with Liz at BMW. Liz informs Simon that he has an ‘airbag fault’ but not to worry as she has already booked his car in with a local BMW dealer and that the car will be collected by a BMW representative from Simon’s place of work – Liz could already see using the tracking device that Simon was already on his way to work.
As promised, shortly after Simon arrives at work there is a BMW representative waiting to collect the BMW M5, leaving Simon with a courtesy car to use for the following three days whilst the airbag issue is being rectified. .
This technology does indeed sound very impressive, and very useful, but in a situation where a vehicle is no longer under warranty Simon’s scenario, we imagine, could prove to be very costly. It also means that the current ‘level playing field’ within the automotive aftermarket could be a thing of the past if a consumer is no longer given the opportunity to ‘shop around’ or decide for themselves where their car is to be repaired or serviced.
Another fear for owners, in particularly those who are passionate about modified vehicles, is whether the tracking devices installed will allow manufacturers to detect whether modification work has been done to vehicle. The potential worry could be a manufacturer deeming such modifications, which could potentially include tuning for example, as unsafe if it is not done directly through them, and greater still if the manufacturer then has the power to be able to send the vehicle into limp mode.
The same could possibly also apply to any repair work where a manufacturers own parts aren’t use – again on the grounds of ‘safety issues’, – which would mean that in Simon’s scenario above – he would only be able to purchase BMW’s own parts direct from BMW for any work carried out on a vehicle, no matter if the vehicle is in warranty or not.
The greatest issue of all however, something which could be considerably much bigger than larger financial loss – which is why we are surprised it hasn’t caused a bigger stir as of late, is the risk of personal data being lost. If sensitive information including actual locations, consumer habits and behaviour were to fall into the hands of companies or even criminals, the technology could prove to be dangerous.
Emma Carr, who is the director of the pressure group: Big Brother Watch, has commented on the ruling saying:
“There is a clear risk that once this device is installed, drivers will lose total control over who has access to their data and how they will use it.
“Forcing drivers to have a device installed in their car, which is capable of recording and transmitting exactly where and when they are driving, is totally unacceptable.”
At present it would appear that the majority of the British public are either currently unaware of the new development or quite possibly may not actually be that interested – but if FIGIEFA’s suggestion is correct we fear that the technology could have detrimental effects to the automotive aftermarket as we know it.
Elizabeth Jarrold
