Overview
- Volkswagen will broaden in‑field data gathering from Germany to 40 European countries this month, starting with the VW brand before adding Audi, Skoda, Cupra, VW Commercial Vehicles and Porsche.
- VW says uploads are event‑triggered in situations such as hard braking or emergency assists, drawing on cameras and sensors, and the company states that customer consent is required and can be withdrawn.
- Mercedes‑Benz has collected comparable field data since July 2025, reflecting industry efforts to validate and improve driver‑assistance and automated systems using real‑world scenarios.
- A Florida driver sued Toyota alleging his 2021 RAV4 transmitted driving telemetry that surfaced in his insurer’s files and increased premiums, while Toyota points to accepted terms allowing regular collection.
- The EU Data Act, in force since September 12, 2025, grants owners rights to access, delete and share vehicle data, as independent research continues to highlight extensive sharing with third parties and, in many cases, authorities without court orders.