Unauthorized Sale Of Driver Behavior Data Were Made By GM

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially confirmed a settlement reached with General Motors, ending an investigation into the collection and sale of driver location and behavior data without the driver’s consent.

The FTC pointed out that GM’s actions seriously violated consumer confidence. Along with the short-term ban on data sales, long-term compliance obligations were imposed on GM. Over the next 20 years, GM will have to obtain express consent from customers before sharing vehicle data and provide drivers with convenient channels to access and delete their data.

At the same time, GM must allow drivers to turn off the vehicle’s location-sharing feature. The regulator also clearly states limited exceptions. GM may still share location data for emergency rescue, law enforcement, or regulatory purposes and may use the information for internal research and to improve the safety of vehicle technical features. Therefore, such data that is shared externally must be anonymous.

GM responded that the settlement does not contain a penalty clause and that today’s vehicles are becoming more and more connected, and the protection of user privacy and transparent communication remains a key commitment of the company. By the way, as early as 2024, the New York Times revealed problems with GM’s data sharing. The investigation found that General Motors did not fully explain the use of data when customers signed up for the OnStar and Smart Driver programs, and the relevant information was then sold and used to set insurance prices, driving up some car owners’ premiums.

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