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I think the big thing is that people expect their phones to leak some data. It communicates by definition, and that is essential to its operation. The fact that your car leaks such a large volume of sensitive data is surprising, and because it doesn't "need" to collect this data to perform its main function, which is converting dinosaurs into motion.

A car also holds a different place in the American consciousness, although that may be shifting. We see our car as an extension of self, while the phone is a connection to other people. We have greater expectations of control and privacy from the first than the second.

But to your point: I think the same statement should also be true of other data as well.




To be fair though, our phones leaking our location data to our carrier is expected given how the cell network works.

Our phones leaking our location and browsing habits to advertisers is/should be less expected and acceptable.


>It communicates by definition, and that is essential to its operation.

Communicating is essential. Storing this information forever is not. Processing and giving this information to "third parties" even less so.




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