It could be the storyline to a sci-fi thriller, the knowledge that wherever you travel, your movements and even the way you drive are being tracked. However, far from being something from the future, this is already happening and it’s very commonplace.

Ways that you’re already being tracked

Chances are one of the following technologies is already tracking your movements now:

1. A New Car

Vehicles manufactured in the last few years already include the technology that actively tracks the whereabouts of the vehicle. You might not like this thought, but the manufacturers do tell you as it’s all in the paperwork that you sign on the day of purchase. But who reads the small print, right? Did you know that are currently 78 million cars driving around with this kind of built-in technology? It is thought that within a few years, all new cars will be sold with this kind of vehicle tracking technology.

2. A vehicle’s infotainment system

Most of us have plugged our smartphone’s in to a USB or Bluetooth connection with our car’s infotainment system but did you know that the system can access a lot of data that’s saved on your phone? This can include information such as call logs, your contacts, images and text messages!

3. Mobile Apps

Whether you have Android or Apple, both use in-built tracking for location. And it’s not just the phone that’s doing this, numerous apps you use could be doing it as well. You are probably already familiar with apps asking you permission to use your location and that is because your phone is already doing it.

4. Telematics Devices

Some insurance companies offer reductions on premiums if a telematics device is installed in your vehicle. This device is able to track your driving habits with a view to rewarding you with reduced premiums for safe driving. Companies who offer telematics are legally required to disclose exactly what information they see, so if you decide to have a device, you can choose a package where you know what’s being tracked.

But is it all dystopian doom and gloom?

There are some ways that tracking is beneficial to you and it involves a privacy trade-off. There are many benefits in terms convenience and safety, as long as you understand that companies will be holding this information about you.

Having tracking devices means that:

You can be found quickly in an emergency.

The data from tracking devices is used to improve road safety and even town planning. The data helps companies to better understand driving trends and the possible reasons why accidents occur. Find out more about purchasing Vehicle Tracking Systems here.

Tracking helps many apps to make life more convenient for you. Using apps like Uber for example, they need to know your location. Finding the nearest petrol station, supermarket or coffee shop, you need to have your location tracking on. It all depends on whether you value convenience or privacy higher. You can become a better-informed consumer. Insights garnered from data from telematics devices can help to make you a better driver and make smarter, safer decisions. This can help to save you money, as well as potentially preventing you from being in a dangerous situation or involved in an accident.