Cars with advanced technology are increasingly gathering personal information, raising privacy concerns. Chinese-made models, such as Jaecoo, Omoda, Great Wall Motor (GWM), and BYD, are becoming popular in the UK due to their affordability and luxury features. However, their growing presence has sparked worries about data collection and potential surveillance. These concerns are not limited to Chinese manufacturers, as modern cars, regardless of their origin, are becoming more like computers on wheels, equipped with sensors, cameras, and microphones that collect vast amounts of data. According to the BBC, a report by consulting firm McKinsey found that half of the cars on the road in 2021 were already connected to the internet. Experts predict this number to reach 95% by 2030. In April 2026, Ford filed a patent for software that uses in-cabin cameras and sensors to read a driver's lips. This follows a trend of facial recognition technology designed to detect driver fatigue, emotional expressions, and even signs of alcohol consumption. Privacy concerns around connected cars are not new. In 2023, Mozilla researchers reviewed 25 car brands, including BMW, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, Kia, Nissan, and Subaru, and found that all failed basic consumer privacy standards. The study revealed that some brands collected deeply personal information, such as facial expressions, weight, health status, and location history. Jen Caltrider, a privacy expert at Mozilla, described these vehicles as "information-collecting monstrosities," adding that low consumer awareness makes the data collection even more concerning. Geopolitical concerns have also emerged regarding Chinese-connected cars. The UK's Ministry of Defence reportedly issued security notices advising personnel not to have sensitive conversations inside leased Chinese cars or pair work phones via Bluetooth or USB, to prevent data extraction. Cybersecurity experts have confirmed that Chinese cars could potentially be repurposed as surveillance tools for a hostile government. Article 7 of China's National Intelligence Law requires Chinese companies and citizens to support and cooperate with national intelligence work upon request. Despite these concerns, experts like Michael Stokes, SVP of Emerging Technologies at Veilant and former CIA officer, argue that Chinese manufacturers add "a second layer" of risk but do not prove that any particular car is spying. The privacy issue with connected cars is not exclusive to China. Efforts to address these concerns have begun, with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issuing a five-year ban on General Motors selling customer location and driving data to data brokers. Australia's privacy watchdog has also launched formal investigations into Toyota and Hyundai regarding potential breaches of data protection laws. Consumer awareness is growing, and some manufacturers are beginning to prioritize privacy in their designs. However, control over data collection remains far from standard practice. Until data privacy becomes a non-negotiable manufacturing requirement, consumers must either opt for older, less connected vehicles or accept that the moment they start a connected car, their privacy is left behind in the driveway.