Smart Mobility, Trust and Data: DEL at Data Festival VŠE 2025

As part of the Data Festival VŠE 2025, the Prague Data Ethics Lab (DEL) presented the results of our research on smart mobility and user trust in vehicle data systems.

In cooperation with Škoda Auto, the project explored how drivers perceive data collection in vehicles, which forms of communication enhance trust, and what concerns reduce the willingness to share data.

Today’s cars are mobile data hubs, generating dozens of gigabytes per hour—from driving behavior and biometric signals to road conditions and vehicle status. While this enables safety, personalization, and predictive maintenance, it also raises critical questions around privacy, autonomy, and trust.

The session, led by Tomáš Sigmund and supported by our student team, showcased how different ways of informing users—legal texts vs. interactive visual guides—affect trust and data-sharing decisions. Core concepts such as explainability, reciprocity, and public benefit emerged as crucial for long-term technology acceptance.

We thank Škoda Auto for the ongoing collaboration and all participants of the festival for their engagement and feedback. We’re proud to contribute to a space where technology, ethics, and social responsibility intersect.