ABOUT PRIVACY4CARS®
Privacy4Cars is the first and only technology company focused on identifying and resolving data privacy issues across the automotive ecosystem. Our mission, Driving Privacy, means offering a suite of services to expand protections for individuals and companies alike, by focusing on privacy, safety, security, and compliance. Privacy4Cars has earned multiple Awards and Patents for its groundbreaking innovations.
DRIVING PRIVACY, THE PRIVACY4CARS® STORY
In 2014, our founder, Andrea Amico, authored the first statistical study on how frequently and what kind of data is left in rental and for-sale vehicles. It was while completing the project that he realized how extremely common it was for drivers and occupants to leave – and unknowingly grant others access to – highly detailed digital footprints of personal information in vehicles they no longer owned or controlled. He also realized that companies were putting themselves at risk of violating a budding and increasingly complex web of local and global privacy and data security compliance regulations.
The idea of a solution to resolve these data privacy issues for consumers and businesses sparked, and Privacy4Cars was born.
The first problem we solved was simplifying the deletion of data. We created a robust and auditable process to quickly and efficiently delete personal information stored in vehicles (a legal requirement in many jurisdictions) as a result of users connecting their phones to vehicle infotainment systems, using the navigation systems or universal garage door openers (to know what data is often found in cars, click here.) We spent years painstakingly building our proprietary and extensive database of detailed, graphical, easy-to-use instructions covering hundreds of millions of vehicles, and offered it for free to consumers via our namesake Privacy4Cars App in 2018 (currently available in the App Store and on Google Play.)
Privacy4Cars would eventually evolve into the leading industrial B2B data privacy solution for the automotive industry, serving many of the top players in the vehicle ecosystem who rely on our turnkey platform, the first and only of its kind, to ensure process rigor, sophisticated records management, and certified warranties. Our leading-edge research in the vehicle privacy space also routinely identifies and offers solutions to serious privacy, cybersecurity and legal issues affecting many companies (to see some examples of our disclosures, click here.)
Today, Privacy4Cars is ‘Driving Privacy’ by working with international clients that manage the sale of over 20 million vehicles annually, setting safety nets and developing protections to improve customer experience and data governance on a global scale.
Privacy4Cars® is a registered trademark of Privacy4Cars Inc.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Andrea Amico
Privacy4Cars Founder/CEO
Privacy4Cars founder Andrea Amico is one of the world’s foremost authorities on car privacy and data security. Under his guidance, Privacy4Cars has emerged as both the leading industrial B2B data deletion and fair disclosure privacy solution for the automotive industry, and the most-trusted consumer tool.
Andrea conceptualized Privacy4Cars over a decade ago after authoring the first statistical study on how frequently – and what kind of – data is left in used vehicles for sale and rentals. He recognized that personal data captured by vehicles was going to be one of the greatest compliance and reputational risks the auto industry would soon face.
His mission with Privacy4Cars has always been to “Drive Privacy”, i.e. pragmatically and continuously improve protections for personal data across the automotive sector for consumers and businesses, alike. The vision is to make privacy a valuable attribute for vehicle users and an area of competition and innovation for businesses.
To support his mission, Andrea leads groundbreaking research in the field of vehicle privacy, and parlays that research into actionable tools and key learnings intended to help the industry evolve and grow. In 2018, he discovered and ethically disclosed the 2018 “CarsBlues” vulnerability to the Auto-ISAC, believed to be among the – if not the – single broadest cybersecurity attack vector ever discovered in vehicles. Most recently, Andrea and his team released a whitepaper outlining the auto industry’s obligations under GDPR and exposing major compliance gaps across many types of companies in the broad automotive sector.
Given his unparalleled, global authority on the topic, Andrea is often tapped by top international media for interviews about the privacy and security of the growing amount of personal data vehicles collect, share, sell, and expose to unwanted or unauthorized third parties. His interviews have been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, Consumer Reports, FOX News, and CNBC, to name just a few.
Andrea received his MBA from Columbia University’s prestigious Graduate School of Business and his MSc in engineering from Cagliari’s University in Italy and Linköping’s University in Sweden. Prior to launching Privacy4Cars, he served as President of Jack Cooper Logistics for eight years following two years at General Electrics/NBC Universal and six years at McKinsey.
15+ years of data privacy experience
James Bronstein
Chief Financial Officer
James has over 20 years of technology, finance and regulatory experience. After joining the founding team of Privacy4Cars in early 2020, James led the company through multiple funding rounds with institutional investors. James is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and is responsible for all financial management, corporate functions and international expansion.
Prior to Privacy4Cars, James previously held the titles of VP of Business Development and Market Strategy at IBM Cloud as well as Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Optimization for Citigroup. In addition to his time at IBM and Citigroup, James spent over a decade with Deloitte Consulting and what is now PriceWaterhouseCoopers as well as time working in Technology Investment Banking with CIBC World Markets. James holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
20+ years of experience in finance, tech & regulatory compliance advising
Aashish Patil
Head of Product Development
Over the last five years at Privacy4Cars, Aashish has helped build the early alpha and concepts into the current industry-leading product using robust architectural practices and innovative software solutions. A 4x Google Cloud Certified professional, Aashish brings deep expertise in cloud-based, mobile-first solutions. He oversees and manages solutions, consulting, architecting the system, leading the Agile development for the entire tech team and across the entire tech stack.
Aashish previously worked for Vodafone, SAGE CRM, TCS, Mahindra-Logistics, Kotak Mahindra and earned great experience working in telecommunications, logistics and finance. Aashish has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from MIT Aurangabad and earned a post-graduate diploma in software development from C-DAC Institute.
11+ years of experience in software development
Michele Pierog
VP, B2B Partnerships
Michele is responsible for Privacy4Car’s continued growth through strategic business partnerships. She previously served as National Sales Manager at IAA, one the largest total loss auctions. She was instrumental in their growth in the market and championed IAA’s innovation and technology advances.
Earlier in her career, Michele served as Director of Sales and Marketing at a local independent auto auction, where she increased revenue through relationships with Fleet Management Companies and Finance Companies nationwide.
20+ years of experience in the automotive wholesale & mobility space
Mike Benfield
VP, Operational Excellence
Mike is responsible for all operational aspects at Privacy4Cars, including field operation, vehicle analysis and troubleshooting, instruction building and management, customer success, and support.
Prior to joining Privacy4Cars, Mike spent more than 25 years in the automotive wholesale industry and brings a proven and extensive record of driving operation effectiveness, sales performance, and revenue growth. Mike has held multiple senior leadership roles such as General Manager, Assistant General Manager and as a Senior Director of Operational Excellence for Cox Automotive.
25+ years of experience in the automotive wholesale space
Waverly Burt
VP, Business Development
Waverly oversees the comprehensive sales strategy and execution for Automotive OEMs and dealerships throughout North America. In this role, he is responsible for managing the entire retail sales pipeline, leading a team, and driving various initiatives.
20+ years of experience in the automotive industry
| Open Role | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Backend developer | India – Remote | Development |
| Infotainment specialist | India – Remote | Development |
| Head of Marketing and Communications | US – Remote | Marketing |
| Communications / Social Media Manager | US – Remote | Marketing |
| Customer Success Manager | US – Remote | Operations |
| Product Manager | Global – Remote | Development |
