Is Apple's CarPlay a Driver Distraction or Security Issue

Apple has you when you're out and about and they have you in the lounge room through the iPhone and iPad. But now, with their new CarPlay, Apple is trying infiltrate your life while you're driving.

CarPlay works with iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C – there will be a software update released to allow the new in-car integration. It allows users make calls, access messages, listen to music or use Maps with Siri-based voice control, touch controls, or standard knobs, dials and buttons in the car.

There will also be support for third-part apps with music services Spotify, Beats Radio, Stitcher and iHeartRadio supported.

Apple has initially partnered with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo but a large number of other manufacturers will come on board soon including BMW, Ford, General Motors, Toyota and others. The first cars supporting CarPlay will be on the road later this year.

CarPlay isn’t the only game in town when it comes to in-car smartphone integration. MirrorLink is also popular and boasts that it is OS agnostic so it will work with Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices as well as iOS.

CarPlay relies on the latest generation handsets from Apple as the in-car connection is via the Lightning cable. That will make it very difficult for anyone planning to attack data on your phone.

Essentially, the in-car system is just a display that makes applications and services from the iPhone accessible in a driver-friendly context. iOS takes over the display, enabling the use of features like Maps and Siri. You'll be able to check voicemails, make calls, and dictate responses to e-mails or text.

What does this mean for your personal and data security in the car? At this stage it doesn’t look like it will change the iOS risk profile substantially. Assuming that in-car applications – if Apple opens them to third party developer – are subject to the same controls and checking as those in the App Store then the likelihood of car-specific malware being widely distributed looks to be slim.

It's also important to note that CarPlay delivers functions that aren't critical to the performance or reliability of the car. There is no mention of CarPlay having access to data or controls for engine management systems so it's unlikely that an app could compromise vehicle safety.

But as these features filter down from luxury car marques into the mainstream we can expect regulators to become more interested in how they are used, their capacity to distract drivers and their impact on road safety.

 

You may also be interested in this article: Wearable Tech - Can your life be hacked?

 

Tags iPadAppleiosiPhoneVolvoSpotifyFerrariMercedes-BenzMirroLinkCarPlayApple carplayStitcherBeats Radio

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