If you thought your privacy was only at risk through online transactions and by walking the city streets, think again. Indications are that you are just as vulnerable to privacy violations when you are in your car. Virtually everywhere you drive, extensive and elaborate networks have been set up to monitor you, your vehicle and travel routes.Statistics that support this assertion are startling. According to Ian Drury for the dailymail.co.uk, a network of around 8,300 'Big Brother' spy cameras takes photos of about 30 million plate numbers each day in the U.K. A police database exists that contains details of 22 billion vehicle journeys.
Many potential opportunities for privacy abuse have already been identified. Car insurance companies, life and medical insurance, potential employers, private investigators, and divorce lawyers are just a few of the stakeholders privy to information that they do not necessarily need or have a right to.
An example given was of TransUnion, one of the companies that combines Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records with license plate data and other records. Eisenstadt describes the process:
"Type in one name. Up pops a map of where your car has been spotted over the course of the past three months. Mouse over the location and the map tells you what each place is. A few more mouse clicks show your phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts and home addresses. Yet another few taps on the keyboard and there is social network work map, showing you, your family members, spouses, friends, acquaintances. Just like that, a stranger--perhaps a private detective or a risk manager -- knows you well. What will you ever know about this search? Likely nothing".