Subaru Starlink: Difference between revisions
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==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’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.com - accessed 2025-01-16</ref> | ||
*'''Personal information''' | *'''Personal information''' | ||
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===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"] | *Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules.<ref name="MozillaReview">[https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru"] - foundation.mozilla.org - accessed 2025-01-16</ref> | ||
*GPS tracking systems. | *GPS tracking systems. | ||
*Cellular-connectivity modules. | *Cellular-connectivity modules. | ||
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===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 | *Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" /> and Verisk.<ref name="TorqueNews">[https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit"] - torquenews.com - accessed 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"]- nytimes.com - accessed 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. | ||
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*Increase 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=" | *Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.<ref name="NYT" /> | ||
==Privacy concerns== | ==Privacy concerns== | ||
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*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"] | *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"] - subaruoutback.org - accessed 2025-01-16</ref> | ||
===Legal challenges=== | ===Legal challenges=== | ||
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*Embedded telematics devices. | *Embedded telematics devices. | ||
*4G LTE cellular networks. | *4G LTE cellular networks. | ||
*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"] | *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.com - accessed 2025-01-16</ref> | ||
===Data transmission=== | ===Data transmission=== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Automotive privacy]] | [[Category:Automotive privacy]] | ||
[[Category:Data Collection]] | [[Category:Data Collection]] | ||
[[Category:Consumer rights]] | [[Category:Consumer rights]] |
Revision as of 15:25, 30 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[2] and Verisk.[3][4]
- Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing.[3]
- 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[3]
Technical details
System architecture
STARLINK is built upon:
- Embedded telematics devices.
- 4G LTE cellular networks.
- GPS receivers and cloud-based data-processing systems.[6]
Data transmission
- Real-time data transmission through LTE networks.
- Local storage when connectivity is unavailable.[6]
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.[4]
References
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru" - foundation.mozilla.org - accessed 2025-01-16
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 Subaru Privacy Policy - subaru.com - accessed 2025-01-16
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit" - torquenews.com - accessed 2025-01-16
- ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data"- nytimes.com - accessed 2025-01-16
- ↑ "Privacy Report Discussion" - subaruoutback.org - accessed 2025-01-16
- ↑ Jump up to: 6.0 6.1 "Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions" - subaru.com - accessed 2025-01-16