Quick Takeaways
- General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement highlights stricter oversight on how automakers handle driver data.
- The action signals a broader regulatory shift toward stronger consumer control over connected vehicle data.
On January 14, U.S. regulators finalized General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement, marking a significant step in automotive data protection. The decision restricts how General Motors manages sensitive driver information and strengthens consumer rights over data collected from connected vehicles.
FTC decision targets GM data collection practices
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission confirmed an enforcement action that prevents GM from sharing consumers’ precise geolocation and driving behavior data with consumer reporting agencies for the next five years. The order also requires GM to give customers access to review and delete data retained by the company.
According to the regulator, GM collected, used, and sold detailed vehicle location and driving behavior data from millions of cars without providing clear notice or obtaining explicit consumer consent. The FTC characterized these practices as a serious breach of consumer trust, warranting strict corrective measures.
General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement and OnStar enrollment concerns
Regulators alleged that GM relied on a misleading enrollment process to encourage drivers to sign up for its OnStar connected services and the OnStar Smart Driver feature. These programs reportedly tracked vehicle location and driving behavior at very frequent intervals, sometimes every few seconds, without consumers fully understanding the scope of data collection.
The enforcement action concluded after federal authorities determined that consent mechanisms did not meet required transparency standards for automotive data privacy.
GM response and discontinuation of Smart Driver program
Following the announcement, GM confirmed that the FTC had formally approved an agreement previously reached to address regulatory concerns. The company emphasized that it has taken steps to align its data practices with consumer protection expectations.
GM had already discontinued the OnStar Smart Driver service in April 2024 after reports surfaced that driver data was being sold to intermediaries who then supplied it to insurance companies. Although the automaker stated the program was optional, it cited customer feedback as the reason for ending the service and automatically unenrolling all participants.
The General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement outcome underscores growing scrutiny of connected vehicle technologies and signals that automakers must adopt clearer consent processes and stronger safeguards as data-driven features become standard across modern vehicles.
FTC decision targets GM data collection practices
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission confirmed an enforcement action that prevents GM from sharing consumers’ precise geolocation and driving behavior data with consumer reporting agencies for the next five years. The order also requires GM to give customers access to review and delete data retained by the company.
According to the regulator, GM collected, used, and sold detailed vehicle location and driving behavior data from millions of cars without providing clear notice or obtaining explicit consumer consent. The FTC characterized these practices as a serious breach of consumer trust, warranting strict corrective measures.
General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement and OnStar enrollment concerns
Regulators alleged that GM relied on a misleading enrollment process to encourage drivers to sign up for its OnStar connected services and the OnStar Smart Driver feature. These programs reportedly tracked vehicle location and driving behavior at very frequent intervals, sometimes every few seconds, without consumers fully understanding the scope of data collection.
The enforcement action concluded after federal authorities determined that consent mechanisms did not meet required transparency standards for automotive data privacy.
GM response and discontinuation of Smart Driver program
Following the announcement, GM confirmed that the FTC had formally approved an agreement previously reached to address regulatory concerns. The company emphasized that it has taken steps to align its data practices with consumer protection expectations.
GM had already discontinued the OnStar Smart Driver service in April 2024 after reports surfaced that driver data was being sold to intermediaries who then supplied it to insurance companies. Although the automaker stated the program was optional, it cited customer feedback as the reason for ending the service and automatically unenrolling all participants.
The General Motors FTC data privacy enforcement outcome underscores growing scrutiny of connected vehicle technologies and signals that automakers must adopt clearer consent processes and stronger safeguards as data-driven features become standard across modern vehicles.
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