# Cars with biometric surveillance of the driver--experiences? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 5, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634 "2026-06-05T12:05:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/41 "2026-06-05T18:42:55Z")
What I need to know is, am I going to have any trouble hotting my rod? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/42 "2026-06-05T18:57:51Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Meh. The article is full of "may"s and "could be"s. Nothing currently in the law or in the technology that reports anywhere, records, or shuts the car down. It is a sensationalism bit IMHO. And the law is a maybe- > **[Mandatory driver impairment sensors clear a funding hurdle, but are they ready?](https://apnews.com/article/federal-law-impairment-detection-car-dui-062d40e885a0e32c6cad0ba70163aef8)** > > A federal law requires new cars to include technology that detects drunk or impaired driving, but regulators still have not cleared it. Last month, the U.S. > A [federal law](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-technology-business-health-068ee87392b0cca1444053b854a514dd) requiring impairment-detection devices inside all new cars survived a recent push to strip its funding but remains stalled by questions about whether the [technology](https://apnews.com/article/nhtsa-female-crash-dummies-vehicle-safety-tests-ff29ea47e58f2325ddbe6c7930748d63) is ready. > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Okay, from everything I could find, this **2027** change is complete misreading of what’s actually happening and everyone is just linking back to the same Yahoo article. > > My understanding is this: The 2021 law required the NHTSA to _create_ a rule requiring technologies to prevent impaired driving. That was supposed to be done by 2024. It wasn’t and they got an extension. That extension is ending soon and they still haven’t made a rule. In fact, their last report was basically saying the tech isn’t there yet for this. > > So basically, no this change is not required and even if it does it won’t be in effect for 2027. They have to give time for automakers to adapt. For example, when they set the rule requiring backup cameras in 2014, it didn’t go into effect until 2018. Right. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/43 "2026-06-05T18:58:36Z")
This is what the camera in my car sees. The back seat is down. [![](https://i.imgur.com/4p3RHhD.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/4p3RHhD.png) The car uses the camera to make sure the driver is supervising when Full Self Driving (supervised) is enabled. In my experience there have been very few mistaken warnings about not paying attention. I am able to check over my shoulder when FSD indicates it will change lanes, scan the mirrors, and even manipulate things on the touch screen without receiving a warning. It works with sunglasses, and usually works at night. When I tested it by tilting my head down, but keeping my eyes forward, it did give a warning, but not instantly, because it’s not meant to. I expect the same camera and algorithm would work to measure driver attentiveness when FSD is not in use, just tune the grace period from 30 seconds to 3 seconds or whatever. There is additional biometric surveillance of the driver in the seat weight detector, and the seatbelt. If the seatbelt is unlatched while driving, or the weight comes off the driver seat, the car will get very upset and make lots of noises. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/44 "2026-06-05T19:06:22Z")
My Subaru Forrester gives me a lane alert every time I drive on one road where they patched a long crack parallel in the middle of the lane. It’s a squiggly line a bit darker than the rest of the road surface. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/45 "2026-06-05T19:15:23Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > What I need to know is, am I going to have any trouble hotting my rod? You shouldn’t do that in public, it frightens the horses. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/46 "2026-06-05T19:25:13Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > All new cars sold in America will soon be required to be spies, performing nonstop biometric surveillance on the driver. What article(s) are you using for your source? ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/47 "2026-06-05T19:28:09Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > It works with sunglasses That’s interesting. Either the IR cameras can “see” through sunglasses or it’s actually tracking micro-head movements moreso than what your eyeballs are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/48 "2026-06-05T19:36:04Z")
Pretty sure that IR cameras see through the glasses. That’s my understanding of how FaceID on my iPhone works. > Face ID relies on infrared (IR) light to map your face. While most sunglasses allow IR light through, highly reflective or heavily polarized lenses block it. To bypass this, you can turn off “Require Attention” in your settings, though this slightly lowers device security. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/49 "2026-06-05T19:40:54Z")
I have a friend who has a problem with falling asleep while he drives. He intentionally sought the “driver alert” feature, and seems happy with it. I forget what car he drives, but it’s not a Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/50 "2026-06-05T20:20:47Z")
Our two Hyundai Ionics have the drowsy drive feature. Also lane following; mild once over 35mph, a bit more aggressive on mapped major roads using the native navigation. And you get an audible chime and note if the car ahead of you at a stop sign or light has moved and you haven’t followed after a couple of seconds. Kind of a polite, “Put your damn phone down and drive” warning. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/51 "2026-06-05T20:23:38Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Kind of a polite, “Put your damn phone down and drive” warning. I’m real fond of that one. Both for me and for the fool in front of me at the light. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/52 "2026-06-05T22:10:21Z")
I find it annoying when I’m in bumper to bumper traffic, and don’t want to “block the box”, and it nags me to move. Which is most of the time it chimes. But i guess it’s okay. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/53 "2026-06-06T12:10:18Z")
How about “is there a way to disable all means to track or remotely shut down my car”? Because my gross mistrust of the US Businessman is reaching epic levels. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/54 "2026-06-06T12:21:31Z")
Even if it is trivial to do that, the problem seems to be, what good will it do you if you subsequently cannot get insurance? Can’t drive on California roads without insurance. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/55 "2026-06-06T13:36:20Z")
Let’s even say you can get insurance but you lose the substantial discount that being able to prove your safe driving allows: how much are you willing to pay each year based on your “gross mistrust of the US Businessman”? Three hundred dollars, a thousand, more? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/56 "2026-06-06T13:53:40Z")
There is. Rip out every computer. Now try getting the car to run. Dont forget to leave off the license plate and leave your phone at home. Don’t drive past any cameras either. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/57 "2026-06-06T13:56:11Z")
I recently saw a video of an up and coming service aftermarket car stereo installers are getting into: removing the cellular modems modern cars sometimes have. I have no idea how widespread they are, though Teslas are famous for having them, but especially Chinese electric cars apparently are equipped with them. As well as other brands. People are afraid that their car is reporting in real time back to the manufacturer about their location and driving habits. The aftermarket removal of the modems is problematic, the video warned that it might brick the car. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/58 "2026-06-06T15:27:04Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > I recently saw a video of an up and coming service aftermarket car stereo installers are getting into: removing the cellular modems modern cars sometimes have. I have no idea how widespread they are, Every car made today has cellular connectivity built in these days. Or so close to _every_ so as to not matter. - **General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac):** Uses the **OnStar** system, which comes with built-in 4G LTE/5G connectivity backed primarily by AT&T. - **Ford & Lincoln:** Uses **FordPass Connect** (or Lincoln Connect), equipping their modern lineups (like the F-150 and Explorer) with built-in modems. - **Toyota & Lexus:** Uses **Toyota Remote Connect** and **Safety Connect** , which operate using built-in modems that often partner with Verizon. - **Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram):** Uses the **Uconnect** system, which relies on embedded modems to power both vehicle telematics and in-car Wi-Fi hotspots. - **Honda & Acura:** Features **HondaLink** and **AcuraLink** , which utilize built-in cellular connections for emergency response and remote vehicle tracking. - **Subaru:** Utilizes the **STARLINK** system via built-in cellular connections for roadside assistance and remote commands. - **Tesla:** Every Tesla is equipped with a built-in cellular modem (and a SIM card) to handle navigation, streaming, and software updates. - **BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi:** Known for highly connected systems (like BMW iDrive or Mercedes MBUX) that rely on 5G/4G embedded modems for real-time traffic, concierge services, and digital key integrations. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/59 "2026-06-06T15:36:59Z")
The simpler option, if you don’t want your car to track you, is to buy a decades-old car; one built before such technology was standard. Of course, you’ve probably got a computer tracking your location in your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634/60 "2026-06-06T15:52:13Z")
'Zactly. And cameras all up and down many (most?) urban/suburban streets. You want privacy? Stay home, offline, and behind shuttered windows & locked doors. Seeking it elsewhere or otherwise is a fool’s errand. I wish it was not so. But that cat is waaay too far out of the bag for anyone to capture it & stuff it back in the bag. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-with-biometric-surveillance-of-the-driver-experiences/1030634.md?page=4)