Car Cameras: Why Aren't They Standard Equipment Yet?

Dashcams are not standard equipment in cars because of the cost, legal liability, and privacy concerns. While some car manufacturers offer dashcams as built-in features or accessories, others are deterred by the potential costs and legal issues that may arise if the dashcam fails to capture critical data. Additionally, some people may not want their every move recorded, and prefer to have control over the dashcam and its footage.

Privacy concerns: Some people don't want their every move recorded

Privacy is a fundamental human right, and many people are concerned about the potential for car cameras to infringe on this right. Some individuals may not want their every move recorded, whether it be their driving habits, personal conversations, or even intimate moments. The presence of car cameras, whether built-in or aftermarket, raises questions about who has access to the footage and how it may be used.

While car cameras can provide valuable evidence in the event of accidents or road rage incidents, there are concerns that the footage could also be used by insurance companies, police, or other parties. Additionally, there is a risk of malicious actors accessing the data, as seen in the case of Tesla employees sharing sensitive images and videos recorded by customer cars. Furthermore, some worry that car manufacturers could repurpose the cameras for tracking driver behaviour or other business purposes.

The issue of consent is also crucial. While some passengers may be comfortable with being recorded, others may not, and it can be challenging to obtain consent from everyone in the vehicle. This raises legal questions about self-incrimination and the right to privacy.

As a result, some people prefer to have control over the installation and use of car cameras, choosing aftermarket options that allow them to manage the footage and determine how it is shared. This way, they can balance the benefits of having a record of their driving with their privacy concerns.

Cost: Car manufacturers are reluctant to incur expenses for features that won't bring in extra sales

Car manufacturers are reluctant to incur the cost of including dashcams as standard equipment in new cars, as it is an additional expense that is unlikely to bring in extra sales. Dashcams are relatively inexpensive to buy and install separately, so car manufacturers may be reluctant to increase the starting price of a car by including them as standard. This is particularly true for entry-level or budget car models, where keeping the price as low as possible is a key selling point.

Additionally, some people may not want a dashcam in their car due to privacy concerns, further reducing the demand for this feature. While dashcams can be useful in the event of an accident or incident, some drivers may not see the benefit of having one installed, especially if it increases the cost of the car.

For these reasons, car manufacturers may be reluctant to include dashcams as standard equipment, instead offering them as optional extras or dealer-installed accessories. This allows customers to choose whether or not they want a dashcam and avoids increasing the base price of the car.

Legal compliance: Dashcam footage may not be admissible in court or may violate privacy laws

Dashcam footage is a valuable tool for insurance companies, police investigators, and drivers alike. However, there are legal considerations that surround the use of dashcam footage, particularly concerning privacy and evidence admissibility.

Privacy Concerns

Dashcam footage may capture images of individuals or their property, and as such, it is subject to privacy laws and regulations. In many places, individuals have data protection rights over their personal data, including video or audio footage that shows their face or captures sensitive information such as a license plate number. As a result, dashcam owners may need to obtain consent before recording or sharing footage of others.

Evidence Admissibility

The use of dashcam footage as evidence in court is a complex issue that varies across different legal jurisdictions. In some cases, editing or tampering with dashcam footage may be seen as manipulating evidence, resulting in legal consequences. Additionally, dashcam footage may not always be admissible as evidence if it infringes upon certain laws or regulations.

Best Practices for Legal Compliance

To ensure legal compliance when using dashcam footage, it is crucial to understand and respect the laws governing digital records. Here are some recommended practices:

• Maintain original files: Create backups of original footage and store them separately to avoid accidental overwriting.
• Use trusted software: Only use reputable and widely-used software to avoid potential legal issues and ensure the integrity of the footage.
• Understand local laws: Stay informed about local laws and regulations regarding the use and editing of dashcam footage.
• Comply with GDPR: For businesses using dashcam footage, it is essential to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to avoid penalties and fines. This includes implementing robust data protection policies, obtaining consent, and securely storing footage.

Liability: If a dashcam fails to capture critical data, the manufacturer could be held responsible

Dashcams are not standard equipment in cars because of the liability that car manufacturers would have to take on. If a dashcam fails to capture critical data, the manufacturer could be held responsible. This is a risk that car manufacturers are not willing to take, especially considering that dashcams are not in high demand.

Another reason is that people are concerned about their privacy and have the right to not self-incriminate. A built-in dashcam could record a person's every move, and this footage could then be used against them in court. Some people are also concerned about who else might have access to the footage, such as insurance companies or the police.

Additionally, some people prefer to have control over the type of dashcam they use and would rather install an aftermarket one that suits their specific needs. They may want a dashcam with certain features, such as better video quality or a longer battery life, that a built-in dashcam might not have.

Finally, there is the issue of cost. Car manufacturers are already dealing with high production costs, and adding a dashcam to every car would only increase those costs. This would result in higher prices for consumers, and not everyone would be willing to pay extra for a built-in dashcam.

Lack of demand: Not enough people are demanding dashcams as standard equipment

Dashcams are not standard equipment in cars primarily due to a lack of consumer demand. While dashcams can be extremely useful in determining the cause of accidents and can help insurance companies and police investigators, most people are not actively asking for them to be included. Car manufacturers are therefore not incentivised to include them as standard, especially considering the potential legal liability if the dashcam fails to capture critical data.

Additionally, some people are hesitant to have their every move recorded, and others may not want to deal with the potential hassle and cost of replacing a dashcam if it breaks, especially considering how quickly dashcam technology is evolving. For these reasons, many people opt to purchase aftermarket dashcams that they can choose to upgrade and replace as needed, rather than having a built-in dashcam that may become outdated.

While some car manufacturers do offer built-in dashcams as optional features, and some models even include them as standard, it is not yet widespread across the industry.

Frequently asked questions