Ford boss raises ‘privacy’ concern over self-driving cars weeks after UK announcement

Ford CEO Jim Farley has warned manufacturers have to take “privacy” seriously with modern vehicles set to become “data capturing machines”.

The boss of the American car giant warned protecting data was vital for autonomous vehicles which can become “remotely controlled”.

He stressed driverless vehicles come with “a lot of dangers” with data at the forefront of Mr Farley’s concerns.

The warning comes just weeks after the UK Government announced new driving laws which will see autonomous models on Britain’s roads within two years.

Mr Farley made the remarks when asked if it would soon be possible for cars to be able to talk to each other.

Speaking on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid show, Jim replied: “Of course. But you will have to give it permission to share your data just like your phone.

“But absolutely and that makes the transportation industry a lot safer if the cars can talk to each other.

“We have 1,500 semiconductors in the average Ford now and it's the most technological product that I can think of. We have six to eight cameras in every car, we have radar systems, the cars are unbelievable.

“But they are also data capturing machines, it means we have to be really careful about people’s privacy and remotely controlling the vehicles.

“They can be remotely controlled with autonomy. They can crash into things.

“There are a lot of dangers with a new digitally-enabled product and our policymakers have to catch up with that reality.”

In 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) issued a code of practice around autonomous vehicle testing which raised concerns about motorists' data.

The DfT, alongside other Government departments such as the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, stressed that driver's data would be protected.

They said: “Manufacturers providing vehicles, and other organisations supplying parts for trials will need to ensure that all vehicle systems have appropriate security measures to manage data security and the risk of unauthorised data access.”

Last month, the Government confirmed their “world-leading Autonomous Vehicles Act had received Royal Assent.

The new rule will enable advanced technology to safely drive cars on UK roads and is said to put the country “firmly at the forefront" of self-driving tech. However, the policy makes clear any self-driving vehicles must reach a level of safety at least as high as competent human drivers.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper explained: “Britain stands at the threshold of an automotive revolution and this new law is a milestone moment for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.

“While this doesn’t take away people’s ability to choose to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads as soon as 2026, in a real boost to both safety and our economy.”