Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/17/gm_settles_ftc_charges/
Source: Hacker News
Title: GM parks claims driver location data was given to insurers, pushing up premiums
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Summary: General Motors has reached a settlement with the FTC regarding privacy concerns tied to its Smart Driver program, which improperly collected and shared location data without informed consent. This case highlights significant implications for privacy, data protection regulations, and national security in connected vehicles.
Detailed Description:
The text discusses a settlement between General Motors (GM) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) addressing privacy violations associated with GM’s Smart Driver program. It outlines concerns related to the unauthorized collection and sharing of sensitive geolocation data from OnStar vehicles and the resulting implications for consumer privacy and legal standards.
Key Points:
– **Settlement with FTC**: GM has reached an agreement with the FTC following allegations that it collected precise geolocation data from millions of vehicles every three seconds under its Smart Driver program without informed consent.
– **Discontinuation of the Program**: GM ended the Smart Driver program in response to customer feedback and has terminated partnerships with telematics analysis firms Verisk and LexisNexis.
– **Regulatory Demands**:
– The settlement prohibits GM from sharing geolocation and driver behavior data with consumer reporting agencies for five years.
– Affirmative consent is now required from drivers for data collection, with the exception of emergency services.
– Drivers are allowed to access and delete their data and opt-out of data collection practices.
– **Legal and Policy Implications**: The case underscores the need for clearer privacy laws to restrict unauthorized data sharing and improve consumer protection.
– **National Security Concerns**: The U.S. Commerce Department’s recent regulations highlight the potential national security risks posed by connected vehicles, especially related to foreign adversaries accessing sensitive information through integrated software or hardware from countries like China and Russia.
Overall, this case serves as a critical reminder for companies in the automotive and tech industries about the importance of data privacy, informed consent, and regulatory compliance, particularly as the integration of technology in vehicles increases. The implications of such regulatory actions extend into national security and demonstrate the need for robust safeguards against unauthorized data use and the protection of consumer rights.