Car Tyre Sensors Can Be Used to Track Drivers Without Their Knowledge

New research from IMDEA Networks reveals how unencrypted signals from tyre pressure sensors in brands like Toyota and Mercedes can be used for covert vehicle tracking. Learn how these low-cost systems can map out your daily routines and why current regulations fail to protect driver privacy.

Modern vehicles are packed with safety features, but some of these helpful tools might be giving away more than just your tyre pressure. Recent research from IMDEA Networks Institute and its partners have revealed that the Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) found in millions of cars, including popular brands like Toyota, Mercedes, Renault, and Hyundai, can be used to track drivers without their knowledge.

These systems, as we know them, are designed to keep us safe by alerting us when a tyre is low. However, the way they talk to your car’s computer is surprisingly insecure.

Digging Deeper

The research team, which included ...