Google is in damage control after having to defend its new in-car infotainment software known as Android Auto against allegations of driver spying and questionable data collection practices.
Given that the search engine giant already knows everything about you (it scans every Gmail message for ad targeting), this latest controversy in the growing consumer tech-transport market comes as no suprise.
The original report which came from Motor Trend magazine claimed that Porsche had backed out of implementing Android Auto, a Google program designed to help drivers listen to music, use maps, and make calls, into their newer cars. The German carmaker instead chose Apple's Carplay over Android Auto for reasons regarding customer privacy fears.
Those fears stemmed from the publication's allegations that Android Auto was retrieving a lot more data on its drivers than it should.
“Certain pieces of data must be collected and mailed back to Mountain View, California. Stuff like vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temperature, engine revs - basically Google wants a complete OBD2 [on-board diagnostics] dump whenever someone activates Android Auto,” the magazine claimed.
Google quickly fired back to defend Android Auto by stating that they “take privacy very seriously and do not collect the data the Motor Trend article claims such as throttle position, oil temp, and coolant temp.”
The Google statement continued, “users opt in to share information with Android Auto that improves their experience, so the system can be hands-free when in drive and provide more accurate navigation through the car's GPS.”