The recent Washington Court of Appeals court decision permits car infotainment systems to lawfully store and transmit users’ text messages and call logs, even post-deletion. This ruling, causing substantial concerns about privacy and data security, allows car manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Ford to gather and retain personal data without user consent or awareness.
Dismissing claims of violating Washington state’s privacy laws, the court argued that the plaintiffs couldn’t demonstrate actual harm to their business or reputation. This decision flags potential risks as this data might be accessible to carmakers and law enforcement or cyber threats.
