It is a terrible curse for tech-savvy criminals. But does it end there.
Smartphone integration is now an integral part vehicle technology. The majority of cars that you can purchase these days come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. This makes the process easier for users. Even commercial vehicles such as Mercedes and Scania trucks are equipped with Apple CarPlay. This was even before 2017. Smartphone integration is not limited to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Technologies as simple as Bluetooth connection and USB connection have existed for quite some time.
It seems that the seamless integration of your smartphone with your car’s head unit is a security risk in terms privacy. The Intercept reports.
A contract with The Intercept states that the US Customs and Border Protection paid $456,073 to purchase five iVe vehicle forensics kits manufactured by Berla, an American firm. This transaction was done with MSAB, a Swedish data extraction company.
You may be wondering what this hardware is used for. According to the Intercept, CBP believes this hardware can be used in investigations. High-tech extraction will retrieve data not only related to vehicle use, but also private information from mobile phones. When smartphone pairing occurs, the data was automatically transferred to the infotainment software.
One incident from The Intercept report was that a podcast hosted by Ben Lemere, revealed that a Ford Explorer returned 70 phones connected to it.
Lemere said, “All their call logs and contacts, as well their SMS history and music preferences, songs that they had on their device, and some other Facebook and Twitter things aswell.”
Privacy is a major concern:
This should not be a problem if you are a tech-savvy criminal. But it doesn’t end there.
Intercept reported that being able to access private communications in a smartphone without actually having to tap into it – could be used as a waypoint to conduct warrantless searches of anyone CBP wishes. CBP is an agency with an exception to the Fourth Amendment.
Data integration between devices has made privacy a big concern. Many tech companies are in trouble for data privacy. Are automakers now ready to take action and get involved?