Renting or leasing a connected vehicle

Pay attention to your privacy when renting or leasing a connected vehicle

When renting or leasing a connected vehicle, it is important to understand which data are collected. And how the manufacturer, the rental company or leasing company and possibly other organisations use these data. In this way, you will know what you give consent for when you rent or lease a connected vehicle.

The data may tell a lot about you as the user. This is why the rental company or leasing company has to communicate clearly about the collection and use of your personal data.

Are you renting a connected vehicle in the Netherlands or within the EU? Then the European privacy law GDPR applies.

Tips for renting or leasing a connected vehicle

When renting or leasing a connected vehicle, there are some tips that may help you protect your privacy:

Read the privacy conditions: before renting or leasing a connected vehicle, it is important to read the privacy conditions of the rental company or leasing company. Make sure that you understand which data are collected, how these data are used, and with whom the data are shared. For example: are personal data also shared with your employer when you lease a company car?

• Check the privacy settings: many connected vehicles have privacy settings that enable users to determine which data are collected and shared. Take time to check and adjust these settings to protect your privacy.

• Be aware of tracking: some vehicles may track and share location details. Consider turning off this function.

• Protect your devices: when you connect to the vehicle through your phone or other devices, make sure that these devices have been secured by strong passwords and up to date security software. In this way, you prevent your data from being leaked.
• Be careful with personal information: try not to share any sensitive personal information through the vehicle, unless this is really necessary.
• Understand your rights: as a consumer, you have privacy rights, such as the right of access, the right to rectification and the right to erasure of your personal data. Make sure that you know what these rights are and how you can use them.

Data removal after rental or lease

You can remove your personal information after the end of the rental or lease period. Because obviously, do not want the new renter to have access to your personal data. That is why it is advisable to check properly if you have removed all your personal data.

Read more: Removing data from a connected vehicle.

Some manufacturers have apps with which you can connect to your vehicle. First remove the account in the app and then remove the app itself.

Sometimes you can also reset the settings of the entire vehicle to the factory settings. Discuss this with the rental company first before taking such action.

Check if there are any agreements in the rental contract or the lease about removal of personal information after the rental or lease period. Are you unable to remove these data yourself? Then ask the rental company to do this for you.

Data removal at the rental company and manufacturer

There is a possibility that the rental company and the manufacturer process your data, including outside the vehicle. The rental company and manufacturer may, for example, store your data on their own servers. Or even share them with another organisation.

Sometimes, these data have been included in an online account where you can remove them yourself, after which you can close the account. If you are unable to remove these data yourself, ask the rental company or manufacturer to do this for you. You have a right to erasure of your personal data..

Shared responsibility for a safe sale

The protection of your privacy in the case of a sale of your connected vehicle is the shared responsibility of you as the seller, the buyer, and the manufacturer:

• It is important that you pay close attention when removing or resetting your data. To ensure that you protect your privacy. And to ensure that your personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.
• The buyer has to be alert to data of you that may have been left in the vehicle. And protect their own privacy.
• The manufacturer has to ensure that the privacy of the seller can be protected when a vehicle is sold.

By properly removing personal information and following the GDPR, everyone can contribute to a safe sale of the vehicle.