What is the FTC's ruling on General Motors' car data?

The FTC has ordered GM to obtain explicit consent before collecting or sharing sensitive connected car data and restricts sharing for five years.

How does the FTC's order affect OnStar users?

OnStar users will now require explicit consent for GM to collect and share their precise location and driving behavior data.

When did GM's 'Smart Driver' feature cause privacy concerns?

Privacy concerns regarding GM's 'Smart Driver' feature surfaced significantly in January 2025, leading to the FTC investigation.

Home / Technology / FTC Cops GM's Car Data: Your Driving Habits Are Now Private

FTC Cops GM's Car Data: Your Driving Habits Are Now Private

18 Jan

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Summary

GM must get explicit consent for most connected car data use.
FTC bars GM from sharing precise location and driving data for five years.
The settlement addresses data collected by GM's 'Smart Driver' feature.

FTC Cops GM's Car Data: Your Driving Habits Are Now Private

In a significant move for consumer privacy, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a final order that places strict limits on General Motors and its OnStar telematics service regarding the collection and sharing of vehicle data. Announced in mid-January 2026, this action concluded that GM had collected and disseminated detailed driving information without obtaining clear customer consent. The collected data included precise locations and driving behaviors like hard braking and speeding, which critics feared could be exploited by insurers or other entities.

For the next five years, GM and OnStar are prohibited from disclosing consumers' precise location and driving behavior data to consumer reporting agencies, such as those compiling credit and insurance risk reports. This prohibition aims to prevent potential harm to consumers through altered insurance outcomes or financial profiles. Beyond this initial period, a two-decade order mandates that GM must secure affirmative, explicit consent from every U.S. consumer before collecting, using, or sharing such connected vehicle data in most non-emergency situations.