SURVEILLANCE ON WHEELS: WHAT IS THE REAL PRICE?

By Dale Jodoin Columnist                                               You shut the car door and think you have some privacy. Maybe you talk about money, work or something your family is going through. But what is your vehicle recording? And who gets to see it? Norwegian soldiers had reason to ask that question. During a military exercise in September, soldiers discovered that cars rented through Hertz had stored video of their activities. At least two were Chinese Deepal vehicles, according to Forsvarets Forum, citing Dagens Næringsliv. The footage reportedly showed soldiers getting in and out, their movements and security codes used at gates and doors. Soldiers deleted the recordings but could not confirm whether copies existed elsewhere. That does not prove China received anything. It does not prove a spy operation. What it shows is troubling enough: sensitive information was recorded, and the people involved did not know where it might end up. Now bring that question home. Canada established an initial annual import quota of 49,000 electric vehicles from China, with the arrangement taking effect in March 2026. Ottawa, what written guarantees will Canadians get that their vehicles will not secretly record them or share their private information? And why stop with Chinese makers? Demand the same guarantees from General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the Big Three. In January 2026, the American Federal Trade Commission finalized a settlement over allegations that GM and OnStar collected, used and sold drivers’ location and driving data without proper notice and consent. The order required stronger controls and placed limits on sharing. That case does not establish wrongdoing by Ford or Stellantis. Still, trust needs more than a familiar badge. Then there is the other hand reaching into the driver’s pocket: subscriptions. Some charges are already here. GMC Canada advertises OnStar Connect at $9.99 a month plus tax for access to selected connected apps. Ford Canada offers a connectivity package covering features such as streaming and navigation, with separate subscriptions required for streaming services. Plans and features vary by vehicle. Be clear about what that means. Ordinary AM and FM radio is not the same as paid streaming. OnStar says drivers can still use AM and FM without its connected service plan. There is no basis here to claim every maker will charge for ordinary radio. But how many monthly bills will follow us into the driver’s seat? You buy the vehicle. Then you keep paying to use certain connected features. How much of the dashboard will eventually depend on another payment? That is a fair question before anyone signs. Chinese brands may attract buyers by offering more features for less money. A family struggling with bills could find that hard to refuse. Nobody should blame them. But a lower price deserves the same hard questions as a higher one. What information does the car collect? Can you refuse? What stops working if you do? Who can access your travel history? Can the terms change after you buy? Cheap does not prove spying. Expensive does not buy privacy. Canada’s privacy commissioner has warned that connected vehicle privacy risks reach beyond any single country. So require plain written promises, independent checks and real penalties. Make companies explain recording, sharing, storage and deletion before the sale. Require a clear list of future subscription costs. No government can promise perfect security. It can demand proof that safeguards work. The price on the windshield tells us what it costs to take the car home. It should not take years to discover what else we gave away.