Automakers are being accused of spying on drivers by privacy advocates.

Privacy advocates are raising concerns about the unprecedented capacity of today's cars to surveil people inside and around them.

There is a growing consensus among advocates and politicians that automakers are not doing enough to safeguard consumer data from various entities, including corporations, criminals, and the government.

In March, a car owner in Florida sued LexisNexis Risk Solutions for collecting data on his driving habits without his consent, which resulted in difficulties securing insurance policies and premium increases.

CNBC reported that GM severed its relationship with data brokers and is examining legal actions. LexisNexis Risk Solutions did not respond to a request for comment.

Months after the Mozilla Foundation published a report calling cars a "privacy nightmare," the group said that cars are among the least secure devices you can buy.

"Jen Caltrider, director of the Mozilla Foundation's Privacy Not Included program, stated in an interview with CNBC that our cars are no longer a source of independence and privacy. Instead, they have become a place where individuals can be spied upon, surveilled, and coerced."

The group of Caltrider and colleagues assesses the privacy agreements of various tech devices and evaluates their compliance with the group's standards for safeguarding user privacy and security. Devices that do not meet the standards receive the group's "privacy not included" rating. In this particular evaluation, all 25 car brands were given this rating, making cars the worst product category the group has ever assessed.

The Mozilla Foundation reviewed 25 brands and only a few responded or agreed to be interviewed by CNBC.

The four automakers, GM, Nissan, Stellantis, and BMW, issued statements emphasizing their commitment to customer privacy and data protection and their compliance with all applicable laws.

Nissan clarified that previous reports about their privacy practices were misinterpreted or misrepresented, while Stellantis pointed out that the Mozilla report contained several errors.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a major industry trade group, released a privacy memo to CNBC stating that connected car technology enhances safety features, aids automakers in detecting defects, and resolving issues, all while being designed with privacy in mind. Contrary to popular belief, your car is not spying on you.

A recent study by Pew Research Center found that over 70% of Americans are concerned about being tracked, prompting regulators to take notice.

In April, two senators requested the Federal Trade Commission to investigate automakers for allegedly misleading customers about their data management practices. Several other agencies are also investigating the matter at both the state and federal levels.