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Starlink: Difference between revisions

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Basic outline of Subaru's Starlink system issues
 
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Starlink is a connectivity service equipped on most modern Subaru vehicles.  Publicly available information states Subaru may use Starlink to collect vehicle occupant name, address, VIN, vehicle telemetry, speed and location information, and audio recordings from inside the onboard microphone.  Newest Subaru vehicles with driver attention monitoring programs may also collect biometric data.
== Overview ==
Starlink is a connectivity service equipped on most modern Subaru vehicles, enabling extensive data collection from the vehicle and its occupants. The service has faced significant criticism and legal challenges over privacy concerns related to its data collection and sharing practices.<ref name="MozillaReview" />


In addition to the data being collected and available to Subaru, research suggests Subaru sells this data to data brokers, including LexisNexis. LexisNexis purchases data packages with data tied to driver identity, which they then sell to insurance companies, who may use the data to modify consumer rates.
== Data Collection ==
=== Types of Data Collected ===
Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:<ref name="SubaruPrivacy">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies.html |title=Subaru Privacy Policy |publisher=Subaru |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>


* '''Personal Information'''
** Names, addresses, and contact details
** Phone numbers and email addresses
** Social Security numbers (in specific cases)
** Driver's license numbers
** Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
* '''Vehicle Data'''
** Location and GPS coordinates
** Speed, acceleration, & braking patterns
** Time & duration of trips
** Maintenance & diagnostic information
** Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature
* '''Audio/Biometric Data'''
** Audio recordings via onboard microphones
** Voice data from STARLINK service center calls
** Biometric data from driver attention monitoring systems
** Search content and commands issued by occupants


The process to opt-out of data sharing is difficult to locate online and requires a vehicle owner to submit a variety of personal information. Followup from Subaru on opt-out submissions also takes months, after which a consumer has a hard time knowing for certain if data collection is continuing or not, as the vehicle continues to be capable of resuming collection at any time.
=== Collection Methods ===
Data collection is performed through:
* Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules<ref name="MozillaReview">{{cite web |url=https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ |title=Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru |publisher=Mozilla Foundation |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>.
* GPS tracking systems
* Cellular connectivity modules
* STARLINK mobile apps & web portals<ref name="MozillaReview" />.


== Data Sharing and Sales ==
=== Third Party Data Sharing ===
Subaru shares data with several entities, including:
* Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref>[https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html]</ref> & Verisk<ref name="TorqueNews">{{cite web |url=https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation |title=Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit |publisher=Torque News |date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>.
* Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing<ref name="TorqueNews" />.
* Marketing firms
* Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law)
* Subaru dealerships and distributors
* Third-party service providers<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" />.


Sources:


https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/
=== Insurance Industry Usage ===
Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may:
* Hike insurance premiums based on driving patterns
* Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk
* Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |publisher=New York Times |date=2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>.


https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html
== Privacy Concerns ==
=== Consent Issues ===
Key concerns include:
* Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent<ref name="MozillaReview" />.
* Lack of active notification during data collection.
* Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality.


https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/forced-lack-of-privacy-with-starlink-and-constant-tracking-of-your-car-with-no-opt-out.569216/
=== Opt-Out Difficulties ===
Subaru’s opt-out process involves:
* Submitting detailed personal information
* Potentially long response times
* No verification mechanism for successful opt-out<ref name="ConsumerForum">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ |title=Privacy Report Discussion |publisher=Subaru Outback Forums |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>.


https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html
=== Legal Challenges ===
Subaru faces legal scrutiny for:
* Allegations of insufficiently dislcosing their data collection policies & what they are doing
* Potential non-compliance with privacy laws
* Class-action lawsuit investigations over consent practices<ref name="TorqueNews" />.


https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation
== Technical Details ==
=== System Architecture ===
STARLINK is built upon:
* Embedded telematics devices
* 4G LTE cellular networks
* GPS receivers & cloud-based data processing systems<ref name="StarlinkTerms">{{cite web |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html |title=Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions |publisher=Subaru |access-date=2025-01-16}}</ref>.


https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/
=== Data Transmission ===
* Real-time data transmission via LTE networks
* Local storage when connectivity is unavailable<ref name="StarlinkTerms" />.
 
== Consumer Protection Issues ==
=== Privacy Rights ===
Critics cite:
* Minimal control over data retention
* Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies
* Limited transparency about how data is used<ref name="MozillaReview" />.
 
=== Economic Harm ===
* Insurance rate adjustments based on driving data
* Subscription fees for connected services
* Potential effects on vehicle resale value<ref name="NYT" />.
 
== References ==
<references />
 
== External Links ==
* [https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html New York Times Investigation]
* [https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/forced-lack-of-privacy-with-starlink-and-constant-tracking-of-your-car-with-no-opt-out.569216/ Consumer Forum Thread]
* [https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions]
* [https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation Torque News Lawsuit Report]
 
[[Category:Privacy]]
[[Category:Automotive Technology]]
[[Category:Data Collection]]
[[Category:Consumer Rights]]

Latest revision as of 09:18, 16 January 2025

Overview[edit | edit source]

Starlink is a connectivity service equipped on most modern Subaru vehicles, enabling extensive data collection from the vehicle and its occupants. The service has faced significant criticism and legal challenges over privacy concerns related to its data collection and sharing practices.[1]

Data Collection[edit | edit source]

Types of Data Collected[edit | edit source]

Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:[2]

  • Personal Information
    • Names, addresses, and contact details
    • Phone numbers and email addresses
    • Social Security numbers (in specific cases)
    • Driver's license numbers
    • Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
  • Vehicle Data
    • Location and GPS coordinates
    • Speed, acceleration, & braking patterns
    • Time & duration of trips
    • Maintenance & diagnostic information
    • Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure & coolant temperature
  • Audio/Biometric Data
    • Audio recordings via onboard microphones
    • Voice data from STARLINK service center calls
    • Biometric data from driver attention monitoring systems
    • Search content and commands issued by occupants

Collection Methods[edit | edit source]

Data collection is performed through:

  • Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules[1].
  • GPS tracking systems
  • Cellular connectivity modules
  • STARLINK mobile apps & web portals[1].

Data Sharing and Sales[edit | edit source]

Third Party Data Sharing[edit | edit source]

Subaru shares data with several entities, including:

  • Data brokers, such as LexisNexis[3] & Verisk[4][5].
  • Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing[4].
  • Marketing firms
  • Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law)
  • Subaru dealerships and distributors
  • Third-party service providers[2].


Insurance Industry Usage[edit | edit source]

Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may:

  • Hike insurance premiums based on driving patterns
  • Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk
  • Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings[5].

Privacy Concerns[edit | edit source]

Consent Issues[edit | edit source]

Key concerns include:

  • Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent[1].
  • Lack of active notification during data collection.
  • Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality.

Opt-Out Difficulties[edit | edit source]

Subaru’s opt-out process involves:

  • Submitting detailed personal information
  • Potentially long response times
  • No verification mechanism for successful opt-out[6].

Legal Challenges[edit | edit source]

Subaru faces legal scrutiny for:

  • Allegations of insufficiently dislcosing their data collection policies & what they are doing
  • Potential non-compliance with privacy laws
  • Class-action lawsuit investigations over consent practices[4].

Technical Details[edit | edit source]

System Architecture[edit | edit source]

STARLINK is built upon:

  • Embedded telematics devices
  • 4G LTE cellular networks
  • GPS receivers & cloud-based data processing systems[7].

Data Transmission[edit | edit source]

  • Real-time data transmission via LTE networks
  • Local storage when connectivity is unavailable[7].

Consumer Protection Issues[edit | edit source]

Privacy Rights[edit | edit source]

Critics cite:

  • Minimal control over data retention
  • Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies
  • Limited transparency about how data is used[1].

Economic Harm[edit | edit source]

  • Insurance rate adjustments based on driving data
  • Subscription fees for connected services
  • Potential effects on vehicle resale value[5].

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
  3. ↑ https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies/vehicle-privacy-notice.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
  6. ↑ {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}

External Links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/index.php?title=Starlink&oldid=1259"