Subaru Starlink: Difference between revisions
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* '''Personal Information''' | * '''Personal Information''' | ||
** Names, addresses, and contact details | ** Names, addresses, and contact details. | ||
** Phone numbers and email addresses | ** Phone numbers and email addresses. | ||
** Social Security numbers (in specific cases) | ** Social Security numbers (in specific cases). | ||
** Driver's license numbers | ** Driver's license numbers. | ||
** Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) | ** Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN). | ||
* '''Vehicle Data''' | * '''Vehicle Data''' | ||
** Location and GPS coordinates | ** Location and GPS coordinates. | ||
** Speed, acceleration, & braking patterns | ** Speed, acceleration, & braking patterns. | ||
** Time & duration of trips | ** Time & duration of trips. | ||
** Maintenance & diagnostic information | ** Maintenance & diagnostic information. | ||
** Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature | ** Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature. | ||
* '''Audio/Biometric Data''' | * '''Audio/Biometric Data''' | ||
** Audio recordings via onboard microphones | ** Audio recordings via onboard microphones. | ||
** Voice data from STARLINK service center calls | ** Voice data from STARLINK service center calls. | ||
** Biometric data from driver attention monitoring systems | ** Biometric data from driver attention monitoring systems. | ||
** Search content and commands issued by occupants | ** Search content and commands issued by occupants. | ||
=== Collection Methods === | === Collection Methods === | ||
Data collection is performed through: | Data collection is performed through: | ||
* Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules<ref name="MozillaReview">{{cite web |url=https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ |title=Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru |publisher=Mozilla Foundation |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | * Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules.<ref name="MozillaReview">{{cite web |url=https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ |title=Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru |publisher=Mozilla Foundation |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | ||
* GPS tracking systems | * GPS tracking systems. | ||
* Cellular connectivity modules | * Cellular connectivity modules. | ||
* STARLINK mobile apps & web portals<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | * STARLINK mobile apps & web portals.<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | ||
== Data Sharing and Sales == | == Data Sharing and Sales == | ||
=== Third Party Data Sharing === | === Third Party Data Sharing === | ||
Subaru shares data with several entities, including: | Subaru shares data with several entities, including: | ||
* Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref>[https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html]</ref> & Verisk<ref name="TorqueNews">{{cite web |url=https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation |title=Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit |publisher=Torque News |date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | * Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref>[https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html]</ref> & Verisk.<ref name="TorqueNews">{{cite web |url=https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation |title=Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit |publisher=Torque News |date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | ||
* Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing<ref name="TorqueNews" /> | * Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing.<ref name="TorqueNews" /> | ||
* Marketing firms | * Marketing firms. | ||
* Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law) | * Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law). | ||
* Subaru dealerships and distributors | * Subaru dealerships and distributors. | ||
* Third-party service providers<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" /> | * Third-party service providers.<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" /> | ||
=== Insurance Industry Usage === | === Insurance Industry Usage === | ||
Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may: | Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may: | ||
* Hike insurance premiums based on driving patterns | * Hike insurance premiums based on driving patterns. | ||
* Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk | * Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk. | ||
* Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | * Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | ||
== Privacy Concerns == | == Privacy Concerns == | ||
=== Consent Issues === | === Consent Issues === | ||
Key concerns include: | Key concerns include: | ||
* Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | * Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent.<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | ||
* Lack of active notification during data collection. | * Lack of active notification during data collection. | ||
* Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality. | * Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality. | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
=== Opt-Out Difficulties === | === Opt-Out Difficulties === | ||
Subaru’s opt-out process involves: | Subaru’s opt-out process involves: | ||
* Submitting detailed personal information | * Submitting detailed personal information. | ||
* Potentially long response times | * Potentially long response times. | ||
* No verification mechanism for successful opt-out<ref name="ConsumerForum">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ |title=Privacy Report Discussion |publisher=Subaru Outback Forums |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | * No verification mechanism for successful opt-out.<ref name="ConsumerForum">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ |title=Privacy Report Discussion |publisher=Subaru Outback Forums |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | ||
=== Legal Challenges === | === Legal Challenges === | ||
Subaru faces legal scrutiny for: | Subaru faces legal scrutiny for: | ||
* Allegations of insufficiently dislcosing their data collection policies & what | * Allegations of insufficiently dislcosing their data collection policies & what is being done with the data. | ||
* Potential non-compliance with privacy laws | * Potential non-compliance with privacy laws. | ||
* Class-action lawsuit investigations over consent practices<ref name="TorqueNews" /> | * Class-action lawsuit investigations over consent practices.<ref name="TorqueNews" /> | ||
== Technical Details == | == Technical Details == | ||
=== System Architecture === | === System Architecture === | ||
STARLINK is built upon: | STARLINK is built upon: | ||
* Embedded telematics devices | * Embedded telematics devices. | ||
* 4G LTE cellular networks | * 4G LTE cellular networks. | ||
* GPS receivers & cloud-based data processing systems<ref name="StarlinkTerms">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html |title=Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions |publisher=Subaru |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | * GPS receivers & cloud-based data processing systems.<ref name="StarlinkTerms">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html |title=Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions |publisher=Subaru |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref> | ||
=== Data Transmission === | === Data Transmission === | ||
* Real-time data transmission via LTE networks | * Real-time data transmission via LTE networks. | ||
* Local storage when connectivity is unavailable<ref name="StarlinkTerms" /> | * Local storage when connectivity is unavailable.<ref name="StarlinkTerms" /> | ||
== Consumer Protection Issues == | == Consumer Protection Issues == | ||
=== Privacy Rights === | === Privacy Rights === | ||
Critics cite: | Critics cite: | ||
* Minimal control over data retention | * Minimal control over data retention. | ||
* Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies | * Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies. | ||
* Limited transparency about how data is used<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | * Limited transparency about how data is used.<ref name="MozillaReview" /> | ||
=== Economic Harm === | === Economic Harm === | ||
* Insurance rate adjustments based on driving data | * Insurance rate adjustments based on driving data. | ||
* Subscription fees for connected services | * Subscription fees for connected services. | ||
* Potential effects on vehicle resale value<ref name="NYT" /> | * Potential effects on vehicle resale value.<ref name="NYT" /> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 09:11, 20 January 2025
Starlink
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Product Type | Software |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://subaru.com/ |
Overview
Starlink is a connectivity service equipped on most modern Subaru vehicles, enabling extensive data collection from the vehicle and its occupants. The service has faced significant criticism and legal challenges over privacy concerns related to its data collection and sharing practices.[1]
Data Collection
Types of Data Collected
Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:[2]
- Personal Information
- Names, addresses, and contact details.
- Phone numbers and email addresses.
- Social Security numbers (in specific cases).
- Driver's license numbers.
- Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
- Vehicle Data
- Location and GPS coordinates.
- Speed, acceleration, & braking patterns.
- Time & duration of trips.
- Maintenance & diagnostic information.
- Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature.
- Audio/Biometric Data
- Audio recordings via onboard microphones.
- Voice data from STARLINK service center calls.
- Biometric data from driver attention monitoring systems.
- Search content and commands issued by occupants.
Collection Methods
Data collection is performed through:
- Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules.[1]
- GPS tracking systems.
- Cellular connectivity modules.
- STARLINK mobile apps & web portals.[1]
Data Sharing and Sales
Third Party Data Sharing
Subaru shares data with several entities, including:
- Data brokers, such as LexisNexis[3] & Verisk.[4][5]
- Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing.[4]
- Marketing firms.
- Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law).
- Subaru dealerships and distributors.
- Third-party service providers.[2]
Insurance Industry Usage
Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may:
- Hike insurance premiums based on driving patterns.
- Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk.
- Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.[5]
Privacy Concerns
Consent Issues
Key concerns include:
- Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent.[1]
- Lack of active notification during data collection.
- Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality.
Opt-Out Difficulties
Subaru’s opt-out process involves:
- Submitting detailed personal information.
- Potentially long response times.
- No verification mechanism for successful opt-out.[6]
Legal Challenges
Subaru faces legal scrutiny for:
- Allegations of insufficiently dislcosing their data collection policies & what is being done with the data.
- Potential non-compliance with privacy laws.
- Class-action lawsuit investigations over consent practices.[4]
Technical Details
System Architecture
STARLINK is built upon:
- Embedded telematics devices.
- 4G LTE cellular networks.
- GPS receivers & cloud-based data processing systems.[7]
Data Transmission
- Real-time data transmission via LTE networks.
- Local storage when connectivity is unavailable.[7]
Consumer Protection Issues
Privacy Rights
Critics cite:
- Minimal control over data retention.
- Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies.
- Limited transparency about how data is used.[1]
Economic Harm
- Insurance rate adjustments based on driving data.
- Subscription fees for connected services.
- Potential effects on vehicle resale value.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru". Mozilla Foundation. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Subaru Privacy Policy". Subaru. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit". Torque News. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers' Data". New York Times. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ "Privacy Report Discussion". Subaru Outback Forums. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions". Subaru. Retrieved 2025-01-16.