“Porsche sets the highest standards for its products. In the digital era, these standards apply equally to digital products and services, and to how customer data is handled,” the automaker said in a news release earlier this week. “At all times, Porsche customers themselves determine which data they share for which purpose and what Porsche may use it for.”

In the Porsche Privacy Center, customers’ data approvals are organized into three categories: product improvement, individual support of existing and potential new customers, and data sharing with third-party providers. Porsche says its Privacy Center deals with data-based services that offer added value for drivers including innovative, usage-based insurance tariffs, a digital logbook, and Smart Charging applications.

“When it comes to privacy, our customers expect information that is easy to understand and clearly organized,” said Robert Ader, Porsche’s chief marketing officer. “…all data approvals can be easily viewed. Granting consent is simple and user-friendly.

Chief Privacy Officer Christian Völkel added, “The Privacy Center provides transparency on the shared data. It is the next consistent step in implementing our privacy strategy, which is part of the company strategy 2030.”

Porsche says the data it collects is used for the development and optimization of functions and services and efforts to improve its vehicles.

For example, the OEM said the menu structure of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is continually improved based on usable data. Also, usable charging data from electric vehicles (EVs) is used for further development of charging management and battery control and is the foundation for future product decisions and developments, Porsche said.

“By allowing their data to be used for the individual support of existing and potential new customers, the customer becomes a part of the fascinating Porsche experience,” the news release states. “For example, they receive invitations to exclusive events or to participate in customer surveys as well as exclusive information and special offers from Porsche.

“The customer decides whether and how they want to be contacted. And the customer’s data approvals for third parties are easy to monitor in the Porsche Privacy Center.”

Customers’ active consent is sought before data is sent or processed in the background whether in the Privacy Center or the car itself, added Porsche. Current Porsche models offer “Private Mode” during which only data transmissions are made that are legally required or are necessary for the operation of the car, such as an eCall (emergency call).

State legislatures are considering data privacy laws as well.

Pennsylvania is looking to pass legislation that follows along the same lines of legislation that has been passed in California, Colorado, Virginia, Utah, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, Oregon, Montana, Texas, and — most recently — Delaware.

House Bill 1201 would allow consumers to find out if controllers are collecting data on them, correct inaccuracies, get copies of their data, have their data deleted, and opt out of the processing of their personal data that’s collected.

The law would apply to sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, associations, or any other legal entity that:

• • Collects consumers’ personal information or…alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of consumers’ personal information;
  • Does business in Pennsylvania; and
  • Meets at least one of three factors: has annual gross revenues in excess of $10 million; alone or in combination buys or receives or sells or shares for commercial purposes the personal information of at least 50,000 consumers, households, or devices, or makes at least 50% of annual revenues from selling consumers’ personal information.

The bill hasn’t been voted on yet.

Images

Featured image: Stock illustration of network/data security. (Credit: da-kuk/iStock)