What is unclear from this article, and perhaps manufacturer specific, is if a vehicle has a telematics system but the owner does not have an active subscription is vehicle data still being collected?
> Driving Data. We collect your Driving Behavior Data (“Driving Data”) which includes the acceleration and speed at which your vehicle is driven, travel direction, and use of the steering and braking functionality in your vehicle. Driving Data is used to deliver Connected Services, and App Suite services to you, and for quality confirmation, data analysis, research, and product development.
> Driving Data. We will store such data for a period of time not to exceed 20 years from the date of receipt by us, unless otherwise required by law, legal process or litigation.
Oh, by the way:
> Remote Data. At last Ignition Off, we may collect the Real Time Status of your vehicle (i.e., vehicle location, status of powered doors, windows, hood, trunk, sunroof, hazard lights, odometer reading, oil life, fuel economy, trip distance, distance to empty) so you can remotely access your vehicle’s most recent information. Toyota uses this information to deliver Remote services to you.
> Location Data. We will store such data for a period of time not to exceed 20 years from the date of receipt by us, unless otherwise required by law, legal process or litigation.
So basically, your car phones home every time you turn it off.
> Warning: If you do not deactivate Connected Services, you specifically consent to our electronic collection and use of your personal information and vehicle data as described above and our storage of such data wherever we designate.
> If you do not notify us of a sale or transfer of your vehicle, we may continue to send reports or other information about the vehicle or account to the subscriber’s contact information currently on file with us. In such case, we are not responsible for any privacy related damages you may suffer.
> If you do not deactivate Connected Services, you specifically consent to our electronic collection and use of your personal information and vehicle data as described above and our storage of such data wherever we designate.
It would be nice if opt-in by default was illegal.
It's certainly immoral. People cannot consent to something they likely don't know is happening.
Unfortunately you’d have to look far and wide to find a government that restricts companies from collecting data they’d love to snoop around in themselves.