Car Data Privacy Is Moving From Niche Concern to Mainstream Anger

The 'Cars collect a startling amount of data about you' thread is getting traction, and the Volkswagen Home Assistant blocking thread is running in parallel. Together they represent a convergence of concerns: modern cars are data collection platforms, and automakers are actively working to lock down the software layer so third parties, including owners, can't see or control what's happening.

The HN comments on the VW thread are particularly sharp. One commenter translated the corporate language from the GitHub issue into plain English to show exactly how VW is using client assertion requirements to block integrations. Another called for laws against remote attestation technology, arguing its only real use is locking out legitimate owners. The contrast someone drew between older German automakers in black suits and their Chinese counterparts at an industry event is a revealing anecdote about where the innovation energy is.

This is a slow-moving story that keeps accelerating. The regulatory pressure will come, but in the meantime there's a real user base that is angry about this and looking for solutions.