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== Overview ==
==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.<ref name="MozillaReview" />
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.<ref name="MozillaReview" />


== Data Collection ==
==Data collection==
=== Types of Data Collected ===
===Types of data collected===
Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:<ref name="SubaruPrivacy">[https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies.html Subaru Privacy Policy], Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16</ref>
Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:<ref name="SubaruPrivacy">[https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies.html Subaru Privacy Policy], Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16</ref>


* '''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, and braking patterns.
** Time & duration of trips.
**Time and duration of trips.
** Maintenance & diagnostic information.
**Maintenance and diagnostic information.
** Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature.
**Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure, and coolant temperature.
* '''Audio/Biometric Data'''
*'''Audio and biometric data'''
** Audio recordings via onboard microphones.
**Audio recordings through 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 systems that driver attention.
** 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">[https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru"],Mozilla Foundation, retrieved 2025-01-16</ref>
*Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules.<ref name="MozillaReview">[https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru"],Mozilla Foundation, retrieved 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 and 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">[https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit", Torque News, 2024-05-21,retrieved 2025-01-16</ref><ref name="NYT">[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data", New York Times, 2024-03-11, retrieved 2025-01-16</ref>
*Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref>https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html</ref> and Verisk.<ref name="TorqueNews">[https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit", Torque News, 2024-05-21,retrieved 2025-01-16</ref><ref name="NYT">[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data", New York Times, 2024-03-11, retrieved 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.
*Increase 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="NYT2">[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data"], New York Times, 2024-03-11,retrived 2025-01-16</ref>
*Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.<ref name="NYT2">[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data"], New York Times, 2024-03-11,retrived 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.


=== Opt-Out Difficulties ===
===Difficulties in opting out===
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">[https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ "Privacy Report Discussion"],Subaru Outback Forums, 2025-01-16</ref>
*No verification mechanism for successful opt-out.<ref name="ConsumerForum">[https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ "Privacy Report Discussion"],Subaru Outback Forums, 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 is being done with the data.
*Allegations of insufficiently disclosing its data-collection policies what it does with 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">[https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html "Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions"], Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16</ref>
*GPS receivers and cloud-based data-processing systems.<ref name="StarlinkTerms">[https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html "Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions"], Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16</ref>


=== Data Transmission ===
===Data transmission===
* Real-time data transmission via LTE networks.
*Real-time data transmission through 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==
<references />
<references />


== External Links ==
==External Links==
* [https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review]
*[https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html New York Times Investigation]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html New York Times Investigation]
* [https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/forced-lack-of-privacy-with-starlink-and-constant-tracking-of-your-car-with-no-opt-out.569216/ Consumer Forum Thread]
*[https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/forced-lack-of-privacy-with-starlink-and-constant-tracking-of-your-car-with-no-opt-out.569216/ Consumer Forum Thread]
* [https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions]
*[https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions]
* [https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation Torque News Lawsuit Report]
*[https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation Torque News Lawsuit Report]


[[Category:Automotive privacy]]
[[Category:Automotive privacy]]
[[Category:Data Collection]]
[[Category:Data Collection]]
[[Category:Consumer rights]]
[[Category:Consumer rights]]

Revision as of 12:52, 23 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, and braking patterns.
    • Time and duration of trips.
    • Maintenance and diagnostic information.
    • Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure, and coolant temperature.
  • Audio and biometric data
    • Audio recordings through onboard microphones.
    • Voice data from STARLINK service-center calls.
    • Biometric data from systems that driver attention.
    • 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 and web portals.[1]

Data sharing and sales

Third-party data sharing

Subaru shares data with several entities, including:

  • Data brokers, such as LexisNexis[3] and 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:

  • Increase insurance premiums based on driving patterns.
  • Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk.
  • Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.[6]

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.

Difficulties in opting out

Subaru’s opt-out process involves:

  • Submitting detailed personal information.
  • Potentially long response times.
  • No verification mechanism for successful opt-out.[7]

Legal challenges

Subaru faces legal scrutiny for:

  • Allegations of insufficiently disclosing its data-collection policies what it does with 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 and cloud-based data-processing systems.[8]

Data transmission

  • Real-time data transmission through LTE networks.
  • Local storage when connectivity is unavailable.[8]

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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru",Mozilla Foundation, retrieved 2025-01-16
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Subaru Privacy Policy, Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16
  3. ↑ https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 [https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit", Torque News, 2024-05-21,retrieved 2025-01-16
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data", New York Times, 2024-03-11, retrieved 2025-01-16
  6. ↑ "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data", New York Times, 2024-03-11,retrived 2025-01-16
  7. ↑ "Privacy Report Discussion",Subaru Outback Forums, 2025-01-16
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions", Subaru, retrived 2025-01-16

External Links

Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Subaru_Starlink&oldid=4886"