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Ford has figured out how to legally listen to conversations in the car.
Automaker Ford has filed a patent for a new system for displaying ads in cars that can adapt to driver, passenger and route data. If a company implements a project, drivers and passengers may encounter advertising based on personal data collected by the car. The patent was filed by Ford Global Technologies in late August, and it describes the ability to display advertisements based on factors such as destination, route and number of people in the cabin.
The patent states that ads can change depending on the situation and user responses. For example, passengers can be shown visual ads every 10 minutes while driving along the highway. If someone responds positively to an audio ad, its frequency may increase, and the ads will play every 5 minutes.
Scheme for displaying ads from the Ford patent
However, Ford understands that too many ads can be annoying, so the system will take into account users' desire to minimize ads. To do this, the system will adapt the duration and frequency of impressions to maximize the company's revenue while minimizing the impact on the user experience. The patent also mentions the ability to listen to conversations in the salon in order to show ads during quiet moments, which will reduce their intrusiveness.
The idea of using cars as a platform to display ads isn't new, and Ford isn't the only company looking to profit from such solutions. More and more automakers are turning their vehicles into subscription services, and advertising is becoming another way to make money. At the same time, the protection of user data is a concern, as cars collect a lot of personal information.
Research shows that automakers often violate privacy standards. So, in September 2023, Mozilla said that 25 major automakers, including Ford, did not comply with user data protection requirements.
Some U.S. senators have already asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate a number of automakers that are alleged to be illegally selling user data. Although Ford was not among the defendants, the patent application does not mention how the company plans to protect user data used to display ads.
It is worth noting that Ford has previously filed patents that raised questions from privacy experts. For example, in 2023, the company filed a patent for a system for automatically seizing a car in case of non-payment. The patent application also describes a fully autonomous return of the car. That is, the car will be able to leave the owner on its own and come to the return point on autopilot.
However, it is not a fact that the company's patents will be implemented. Ford emphasizes that filing patent applications is standard practice for protecting intellectual property. A spokesperson for the company said patent applications should not be taken as an indication of future business plans. However, despite this, concerns remain, and users may encounter similar advertisements in the future if the system is implemented.
Source
Automaker Ford has filed a patent for a new system for displaying ads in cars that can adapt to driver, passenger and route data. If a company implements a project, drivers and passengers may encounter advertising based on personal data collected by the car. The patent was filed by Ford Global Technologies in late August, and it describes the ability to display advertisements based on factors such as destination, route and number of people in the cabin.
The patent states that ads can change depending on the situation and user responses. For example, passengers can be shown visual ads every 10 minutes while driving along the highway. If someone responds positively to an audio ad, its frequency may increase, and the ads will play every 5 minutes.
Scheme for displaying ads from the Ford patent
However, Ford understands that too many ads can be annoying, so the system will take into account users' desire to minimize ads. To do this, the system will adapt the duration and frequency of impressions to maximize the company's revenue while minimizing the impact on the user experience. The patent also mentions the ability to listen to conversations in the salon in order to show ads during quiet moments, which will reduce their intrusiveness.
The idea of using cars as a platform to display ads isn't new, and Ford isn't the only company looking to profit from such solutions. More and more automakers are turning their vehicles into subscription services, and advertising is becoming another way to make money. At the same time, the protection of user data is a concern, as cars collect a lot of personal information.
Research shows that automakers often violate privacy standards. So, in September 2023, Mozilla said that 25 major automakers, including Ford, did not comply with user data protection requirements.
Some U.S. senators have already asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate a number of automakers that are alleged to be illegally selling user data. Although Ford was not among the defendants, the patent application does not mention how the company plans to protect user data used to display ads.
It is worth noting that Ford has previously filed patents that raised questions from privacy experts. For example, in 2023, the company filed a patent for a system for automatically seizing a car in case of non-payment. The patent application also describes a fully autonomous return of the car. That is, the car will be able to leave the owner on its own and come to the return point on autopilot.
However, it is not a fact that the company's patents will be implemented. Ford emphasizes that filing patent applications is standard practice for protecting intellectual property. A spokesperson for the company said patent applications should not be taken as an indication of future business plans. However, despite this, concerns remain, and users may encounter similar advertisements in the future if the system is implemented.
Source