Shift Magazine - February 2020 - 28

WASH AWAY
(your data)
Consumer Reports offers tips for
reducing risk before reselling a vehicle
BY DAVID MULLER

odern cars and trucks have become data-gathering
machines. Wittingly or not, vehicle owners readily
cough up large amounts of information by linking
their smartphones with vehicles' computer systems.
Their favorite music, contacts and location data may be stored
in a vehicle. Telematics systems and tracking devices can keep
details on driving habits.
Consumer Reports has several suggestions as to what vehicle
owners should do to prevent this data from traveling to a subsequent owner.
The publication noted that a first step is unpairing all connected devices. That puts an end to sharing contact info, music
preferences and GPS mapping data.

IN THE

LOOP

SHIFT

Vol. 3, Issue 1

2020 ISSUES

April 27, June 29, Aug. 31,
Oct. 26, Dec. 28

PRINT COPIES

Automotive News subscribers receive Shift
along with their weekly issue six times
in 2020. Individual copies are available to
nonsubscribers for $4.50. Call 877-812-1584.

shift * february 2020

If a universal application, such as HomeLink, is used for
garage door openers, it should be reset. That should remove
codes used to enter your home.
Telematics services such as Hyundai's Blue Link, FordPass
and OnStar should be reset, which can be done by summoning
the service's customer service representative. Some automakers store information in the cloud, so consumers should log out
of these accounts. Any tracking devices, perhaps added by auto
dealers, banks or insurance companies, should be removed.
The next owner of a car or truck might not pay any attention
to what data was gathered by the previous owner, but there's
no reason to give them - or anyone - the option to access it
in the first place. n

HOW TO PARTNER WITH SHIFT

Interested in sponsoring a Shift event and
issue? Partner with Automotive News to
bring together technology and transportation
leaders who are shaping the future of mobility.
We'll work with you to determine the topic,
select the event location and invite the target
audience. Opportunities for sponsorship
are limited. Contact Karen Rentschler at
krentschler@autonews.com or 313-446-6058.

SHIFT: A PODCAST
ABOUT MOBILITY

Go to where you get your podcasts to hear
insights from top industry influencers.
Or, for information:
autonews.com/shiftpodcast

Go to autonews.com/newsletters and sign
up to receive Shift as a digital edition and to
get the Shift Mobility Report newsletter.

DIGITAL EDITION

Access current
and past issues:
autonews.com/shift

HOW TO REACH US

Email comments, questions and letters
to the editor to shift@crain.com, or call
Editor Leslie J. Allen at 313-446-6088.

http://www.autonews.com/newsletters http://www.autonews.com/shift http://www.autonews.com/shiftpodcast

Shift Magazine - February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Shift Magazine - February 2020