Forced Autoplay in CarPlay Is a Violation of Consent and Accessibility

I am asking Apple to take the issue of forced audio autoplay through CarPlay and Bluetooth seriously. As a trauma survivor and as someone who values having control over my sensory environment, being blasted with sound the instant I start my car is a violation of consent.

There is currently no setting or toggle to turn autoplay off. The only way to protect myself has been to delete both the Podcasts app and the Apple Music app from my phone, something no user should have to do just to feel safe.

This is not about convenience. For people who live with PTSD, sensory sensitivity, or hypervigilance, unexpected loud audio can trigger panic, flashbacks, or physical pain.

A company that claims to care about accessibility and inclusion should understand that silence is a valid accessibility need.

I am requesting that Apple immediately add a simple, global “Disable Autoplay on CarPlay/Bluetooth” setting, and that this request be escalated to the engineering and accessibility teams. Please treat this as a matter of user safety, not preference.

—A loyal customer who deserves the right to choose when sound begins.