Connected vehicle technology faces design and privacy scrutiny

Modern vehicle technology is facing scrutiny regarding both user interface design and data privacy. In terms of interior design, there is a growing movement to reintegrate physical buttons. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen are reintroducing tactile controls, and Mercedes has acknowledged that the shift toward entirely touch-based interfaces may have gone too far. Additionally, Euro NCAP will begin placing greater emphasis on the ease of accessing essential controls in its safety evaluations starting in 2026.

Simultaneously, the rise of connected vehicles has introduced significant security risks. A report from the General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands warns that modern cars, acting as internet-connected computers, are vulnerable to remote surveillance. Malicious actors could potentially activate peripheral cameras, integrated microphones, and geolocation modules without the knowledge of the driver or passengers, allowing them to monitor private conversations and surroundings.