Hi there, 

I am a master student at London School of Economics and now doing research in terms of technology of data protection on automobile.

However, I have been really seriously facing difficulties of understanding the car technology because previously I have only researched social science things so. Fortunately, I have finally found this kind of great place (yes, its here the forum for car mania!) where someone might help me out under this situation. (hopefully)

Yes, I have specifically researched so far and finally found out that how global car companies (e.g. BMW) protect their car (or personal) information (e.g. coding and logic some sensors etc.), especially when they have cooperation with Tier 1 suppliers. For BMW, they have very special car technology as I researched so far its called SWT (Sweeping Technology) that BMW makes their "own coding platform" and it always provides for Tier 1 supplier during the cooperation. This is because as BMW said "for decryption", which means that BMW does want to decrypt anything they want even from Tier 1 supplier, and also BMW wants to protect their own car information (such as coding of BMW's car) through SWT.

Another reason is here that if BMW has cooperation with navigation company, navigation company might have their own platform for setting their programme, BUT BMW wants them to use BMW's platform due to concerns about data leakage (such as customer's house or routes etc.).

So, finally, this is my query that this kind of new technology in order to protect (or avoid) data leakage have also another global car companies? such as Ford, VW, and TOYOTA. I have really tried to googling but I have not found anythings so.

If you know this kind of knowledge OR if you have some similar topic things, please comment.
Many thanks

James