Top 10 countries where drivers are worried about what data is being collected from their cars

LeasePlan conducted a survey across 16 countries internationally analyzing public opinion regarding the car data. The findings reveal that data concerns are top of mind for drivers, with a majority of respondents worried about what data is being collected from their cars and by whom.

The survey published in March 2020, was conducted across 16 countries internationally, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

People in Spain are most worried about topics related to car data and privacy. The 69% of Spanish people said that they are worried about car data being shared with third parties such as the car manufacturer, leasing company etc. Closely follows France where 62% of the drivers answered that they are worried about car data being shared with third parties. Greece comes at the 3rd place of the list. The 57% of Greek drivers said that they are worried about car data being shared with third parties. The top 5 countries of the list complete Poland and Germany with 57% and 52% of drivers respectively expressing their anxiety about car data being shared with third parties.

Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Romania complete the top 10 countries globally with 51%, 49%, 48%, 45% and 45% of drivers respectively answering that they are worried about car data being shared with third parties.

Usa and United Kingdom although having a relatively high percentage of drivers being worried about their car data, are not included in the top 10 list. In the US 44% of the drivers are worried about car data being shared with third parties. At the same time in the United Kingdom, also the 44% of the drivers are worried about car data being shared with third parties.

Drivers when asked if they are worried about who owns car data, Spanish people come at the top of the list with 76% of them expressing their strong anxiety. In Greece the 66% of the drivers answered they are worried about who owns car data, while in France 63% of the drivers feel anxious about the same topic. The top 5 countries around the world that drivers are strongly worried about who owns car data complete Poland (61%) and Turkey (57%).

Closely follow Luxembourg (55%), Germany (55%), Italy (53%), USA (51%) and Belgium (51%).

Drivers when asked if they are worried about personal data (e.g. locations visited, music played) that can still be found in cars when you return or trade them, again Spanish people come at the top of the list with 70% of them showing their strong anxiety. In Poland 63% of the drivers answered they are worried personal data can still be found in cars when you return or trade them, while in Luxembourg also 63% of the drivers feel anxious about the same topic. The top 5 countries around the world that drivers are strongly worried about personal data can still be found in cars when you return or trade them complete Greece (62%) and France (61%). Closely follow Romania (57%), Belgium (54%), Portugal (54%), Germany (53%) and Turkey (52%). In the USA, the 50% of the drivers are worried about personal data (e.g. locations visited, music played) that can still be found in cars when you return or trade them.

The survey findings also revealed that the 26% of the drivers are willing to share their driving data with external parties in order to reduce traffic congestion and journey time. The 24% of drivers are willing to do so in order to improve car performance, while the 25% would share driving data in order to reduce vehicle emissions. Finally, the 27% of the drivers would share driving data with external parties in order to reduce fuel and maintenance costs. People in Portugal and Poland are most willing to share their driving data for the above reasons. At the same time in the US the 20% of the drivers are willing to share their driving data in order to reduce traffic congestion and journey time and the 24% of the drivers would share driving data in order to reduce fuel and maintenance costs.

Not to forget to mention that for the survey were interviewed consumers between 18 and 65 years old in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA.