Auto Infotainment Systems Lacking AM/FM Radio May Be A Threat To Public Safety

It's impossible to buy a car these days without an infotainment system. It's become an essential part of driving for the modern driver. Automakers have sought out the help of tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Apple to integrate navigation and entertainment tools in cars, but of course, there's always one company that defies social norms.

Tesla recently added a feature to their cars allowing users to watch YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix when they're parked. This update, however, has caused the removal of the cars' AM/FM radio capabilities. According to the Elon Musk-helmed EV manufacturer, the decision was due to concerns over interference.

While it's easy not to care about the lack of AM/FM radio in cars, Tesla's decision comes with implications. For one, it takes away the platform used by the government to transmit crucial information in times of crisis.

It's a valid concern, considering we're still in the midst of a pandemic. In spite of the existence of the internet that allows for faster communication between parties, AM/FM radio is still the most effective platform that can reach places that broadband and TV cannot. The government has invested tens of millions of dollars to ensure radio stations can remain on the air during periods of a widespread threat to the public - including the current one. As the coronavirus reminds us, our nation still has public safety needs that no amount of technical wizardry can obviate.

The radio is also advantageous when it comes to privacy. Tesla and other automakers that make use of advanced infotainment systems have the ability to monitor you wherever you go and whatever you do inside your car. If you're not so much into sharing your activities, the old-school radio is the way to go.

But people won't really make a big deal out of privacy if they are fully aware of what data is being shared with automakers and their third parties. If other companies follow Tesla's move, though, there will be serious privacy implications worth tackling.

Streaming services like Spotify and Pandora are slowly becoming a norm these days, but it goes without saying that many people still prefer AM/FM radio stations. Upgrading your car's infotainment system is perfectly okay, but people should still be given the choice of what kind of listening platform should be included in it.

Tech companies deserve all the praise they could get for developing technologies that make the world a better place, but they shouldn't take away the AM/FM capabilities in cars. The world will not be the same without it.