Porsche has opted to install Apple’s CarPlay in its new 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S over Google’s Android Auto, with the car manufacturer reportedly concerned over the vast amount of user data Google requests.
According to Motor Trend, Porsche have stated that Google wanted to monitor the “vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temp, and engine revs” of users, which Porsche believed wasn’t ethical, along with the car manufacturer also being concerned that Google could use that information in order to help with the development of the search engine giant’s own vehicles, which would mean that they would essentially be handing valuable data to their rivals.
The report notes that Apple’s CarPlay is far less intrusive as an in-dash smartphone experience, with it only requesting feedback whenever CarPlay is being used when the vehicle housing it is moving. Porsche has therefore offered to strike a deal with Apple rather than Google, though the report does not indicate whether or not Android Auto’s comprehensive user data requests are a standard procedure for Google, or whether that was an offer made exclusively to Porsche.
If Google wants to obtain such an extensive amount of data regarding its users, this will inevitably be used against their favor by Apple, who continue to push their emphasis upon privacy in comparison with their California-based tech rivals. If this report is true and Porsche really have dismissed Google due to the intrusiveness of Android Auto, the company may face an uphill battle in convincing car manufacturers to carry its operating system.
