Contrary to popular belief, the average car isn’t secretly storing all manner of weird and wonderful information about you, your family and your driving habits. Conspiracy theories abound, but you’re not actually being spied on by forces you’d probably prefer to keep a distance from.
However, to assume that your car isn’t storing any information about you at all is naïve. In an age of connected cars with smart technology, the extent to which cars store information about their owners can be surprising.
There’s nothing particularly sinister about the whole thing, but this doesn’t mean common sense precautions shouldn’t be taken.
In-Car Computer Hardware and Software
Everybody knows that when carrying and using a smartphone, both the manufacturer and the software provider use certain types of tracking software for marketing purposes. Apple, Google and Amazon in particular being known to keep an eye on their customers’ habits, and in some cases their movements.
In which case, common sense dictates that it would be the same when using the same kind of hardware software in a car. More cars than ever before are coming loaded with Google’s Android OS in one form or another, Apple CarPlay and so on. You connect your car to your mobile device, you enjoy a world of hands-free convenience and you go about your daily business.
But here’s the thing – all of this leaves a trail of data that could be used to identify who you are, where you go, what you do, where you work, who you talk to and even what you say to them. There’s also the (albeit slight) possibility of this data being used for identity theft, or to steal your financial information.
That is, unless you ensure all of this information is comprehensively wiped, prior to selling your car.
Removing Personal Data from Smart In-Car Hardware
It may sound complicated on the surface, but removing your personal data from your car’s smart hardware is no more difficult than performing a factory reset on your phone. You’ll find all the information you need in the manufacturer’s guidebook, along with helpful guides and even video tutorials online.
You’ll simply be asked to enter a few details, confirm your credentials and indicate your intent to wipe your data permanently. At which point, it’ll be removed from the system and you’re safe to sell your car.
Responsible Car Scrapping and Recycling…
Of course, all of the above is largely inconsequential if you choose instead to have your car responsibly scrapped and recycled. By arranging the disposal and recycling of your car and its components, there’s more or less zero chance of the data stored on your car’s hardware falling into the wrong hands.
Nevertheless, it’s still a good idea to wipe it from the system before handing your car over, just to be safe.
For more information on any of the above or to arrange disposal of a scrap car in your area, contact a member of the team at Take My Scrap Car today.
