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Claim: A Facebook user, James Okello, claims that high-end cars have infotainment systems that can capture personal details from the phones of people who record them.
Verdict: False. Infotainment systems in cars cannot capture or steal personal details from bystanders, simply recording or taking photos/videos of the vehicles. These systems only connect to paired devices, typically via Bluetooth, USB cable, or Wi-Fi, and require permission.
Full Text
On August 15, 2025, James Okello, a Facebook user with over 100,000 followers, shared a video showing a black Range Rover with the caption suggesting that the vehicle’s infotainment system could extract personal data from individuals recording it from outside.
The video quickly gained traction, attracting over 573,200 views, 1,600 likes, and 128 comments. Many users expressed fear and caution, while others questioned the claim’s authenticity.
The post warns,
“Avoid recording high-end cars. Most of them have infotainment systems that take your personal details. Ogopa.”
The claim has sparked conversations online, especially given rising concerns over data privacy and the increasing integration of technology in modern cars.
Some of the comments under the claim were:
Erik Tarvis: “Scraping data definitely exists, but it’s not really legal in most places. The government is OK with breaking its own laws.”
Maitha Matolo: “People should learn to mind their own business. Why were you recording it?”
Ryan Sayad: “You people can’t comprehend technology.”
Calvince Ogwel: “There’s no such technology in any car on earth.”
Due to the debate, DUBAWA decided to establish the facts on car infotainment systems.
Verification
- What is an infotainment system?
Infotainment systems in vehicles are multimedia interfaces that provide navigation, entertainment, and connectivity features. Examples include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and proprietary systems like BMW iDrive or Range Rover’s Pivi Pro. They provide information about the car and other relevant system issues, and also help entertain riders in the vehicles with ease.
Infotainment systems in modern vehicles come equipped with diverse features, aiming to enhance the driving experience. These features often go beyond traditional audio controls, offering a comprehensive suite of functionalities. Below are some standard features found in infotainment systems:
- Audio playback: Access to various audio sources, including radio, USB drives, Bluetooth, and streaming services.
- Navigation: GPS sat nav with real-time maps, turn-by-turn directions, and traffic updates.
- Smartphone integration: Smartphone mirroring, including compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity and app access.
- Voice recognition: Hands-free control of various functions, from making calls to adjusting settings.
- Camera systems: Integration with rearview cameras and, in some cases, 360-degree camera systems for enhanced safety.
- Gesture controls: Some advanced systems feature gesture recognition for hands-free operation.
- In-car functions: Adjusting climate control, customising vehicle preferences such as seat positions, and controlling various safety features.
- How do they work?
These systems require deliberate pairing or connection via:
· Bluetooth (requires acceptance from the phone user).
· USB cable (manual connection).
· Wi-Fi hotspot (optional, also needs consent).
Without such pairing, the system cannot access a passerby’s personal information.
- Expert checks:
· Cybersecurity experts consistently affirm that infotainment systems do not have the capacity to remotely access devices simply because someone films or takes pictures of the vehicle.
· A 2023 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. confirmed that infotainment-related risks come only when drivers connect their devices, not when someone is nearby.
- What is possible?
When you connect your phone to a car, some infotainment systems may store contacts, messages, and call logs. However, this happens only with consent and cannot occur from someone recording outside the car. - However, there is no widely available evidence or official documentation indicating that these systems can actively extract data from external devices used to record the vehicle from outside, such as a phone recording a video. The technology typically relies on a direct connection (e.g., pairing a phone) to access such information, and security measures like encryption are often employed to protect data. While forensic tools can sometimes retrieve stored data from infotainment systems with proper access, this requires physical or authorised interaction with the car’s system, not remote extraction from an outsider’s recording device.
Conclusion
The claim that high-end cars’ infotainment systems can extract personal details from individuals who are being recorded is false. Infotainment systems only interact with devices that are deliberately connected inside the vehicle—filming or photographing such cars from outside poses no risk of data theft.
