New vehicles are equipped with more advanced technologies, from high-end infotainment systems to automatic emergency braking. However, these helpful features also include collecting driver and passenger data.
According to Statista, in 2023, the UK had over 19 million connected cars, with forecasts suggesting 100% of new vehicles registered in 2026 will be connected.
Yet, are drivers aware of what types of data are being gathered? Privacy policies have lengthy and complex documents. A recent study found that only 0.5% of website visitors looked at privacy notices in the UK on average. Are drivers doing the same with their vehicle privacy policies?
Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have analysed the connected car technology privacy policies from popular vehicle manufacturers to reveal which have the longest policies and how long it would take the average person to read them in their entirety.
- Kia Connect has the longest privacy policy
It would take the average person 98 minutes to read the 23,359 words in Kia Connect’s privacy policy. The Kia Connect is found in most new Kia models, whose features allow drivers to access vehicle control through their smartphone, such as charging management and vehicle status checks. The privacy policy takes drivers’ data to improve services, offers personalised experiences, and allows Kia to share data with third-party service providers.
- It takes 45 minutes to read Citroen Connect’s privacy policy
Citroen Connect has features like real-time traffic updates, smartphone connection, e-routes, and more. This makes the car privacy policy second in ranking the longest-connected car privacy policies, as it would take 45 minutes to read all 10,802 words. The policy states that third-party services may be involved, but Citroën is not liable for their terms or operations.
- Jaguar Land Rover InControl ranks third
Jaguar Land Rover’s In Control model ranks third, with its policy taking 41 minutes to read. The In Control features allow drivers to lock and unlock vehicle doors or preheat and precool the vehicle through the smartphone app.
The privacy policy states how drivers’ data enhances customer experience, outlines how data may be shared with third parties, and shares how users can manage their data, including options to access, modify, or delete personal information.
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, commented:
“It can be common for drivers not to thoroughly read car policies due to the length and time it takes to read through the information. We advise drivers to read through these policies to ensure they know what cybersecurity protection they have and how their data will be recorded and shared.”
