Saturday, March 28, 2015

AAMI safe driver app. Make sure you understand the information you're sharing before you use the app.

I think the AAMI safe driver app is a very good idea, but a very bad idea when it is provided by an insurance company and the data is uploaded to their servers.

Now I'm not saying this is happening, but it could happen. You use the AAMI safe driver app and the app determines you're not a safe driver. That of course is a good thing to help the person improve their driving skills. However how is that information going to be used. AAMI is part of the Suncorp Group. Is that data going to be accessible to the entire group? Will the data you provide affect your ability to gain insurance? Will insurance be withheld now or in the future because you're not considered a safe driver. Two major groups control around 80% of the car insurance group and those installing the app will be providing their data that could in theory affect their ability to gain insurance.

If the data was only stored in your mobile device and not shared with anyone else I'd be much happier with that situation. Any device that can assist us to improve our driving is a good thing. Some people however could potentially supply data that could be used against them. In the FAQ it is stated the data can be used for research, but it isn't stated what type of research. It is also stated the data can be provided to law enforcement agencies if required.

Unfortunately people often have no idea of the implications of the data they are giving away to others for a relatively small benefit, how the data is going to be used and how it may potentially affect them.

I'd highly recommend not installing the AAMI safe driver and other similar apps without first fully understanding the implications of sharing your data.

As an example Tom Tom in Europe had users upload their GPS data. Tom Tom then sold that data to the law enforcement agency who then used the data to research where people were speeding more. By using the people's own data against them they were able to increase revenue, and I suspect some people who provided the data, would have ended up providing the information that resulted in them being fined.

Now of course it could be argued fining more people for speeding is a good thing. It could be argued many fines and the level of fines are not appropriate and revenue raising. Those arguments are for another day. My main concern is that people are fully informed and aware of the implications of the choices they make. In this case where the app is provided by a business where there's a related financial interest, it is important for people to think through the implications of their actions.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for IT support.

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