FTC Bans GM from Selling Drivers' Location Data for Five Years
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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized an order with General Motors (GM) and its subsidiary, OnStar, banning the company from selling drivers' geolocation and driving behavior data for five years. The order follows allegations that GM collected and sold this data without consumer consent through OnStar's 'Smart Driver' feature. The FTC's action requires GM to obtain express consent before collecting or sharing such data and provides consumers with more control over their information.
Timeline
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15.01.2026 11:59 1 articles · 9h ago
FTC Bans GM from Selling Drivers' Location Data for Five Years
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized an order with General Motors (GM) and its subsidiary, OnStar, banning the company from selling drivers' geolocation and driving behavior data for five years. The order follows allegations that GM collected and sold this data without consumer consent through OnStar's 'Smart Driver' feature. The FTC's action requires GM to obtain express consent before collecting or sharing such data and provides consumers with more control over their information.
Show sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59
Information Snippets
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GM collected precise geolocation data and detailed driving behavior information every three seconds through OnStar's 'Smart Driver' feature.
First reported: 15.01.2026 11:591 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59
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The data was sold to third parties, including consumer reporting agencies, which provided it to insurance companies.
First reported: 15.01.2026 11:591 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59
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The FTC order bans GM from sharing consumers' geolocation and driver behavior data with consumer reporting agencies for five years.
First reported: 15.01.2026 11:591 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59
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GM must obtain express consent from consumers before collecting, using, or sharing their connected vehicle data for the full 20-year duration of the order.
First reported: 15.01.2026 11:591 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59
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GM must allow U.S. consumers to request copies of their data, seek its deletion, and opt out of location and driving behavior data collection.
First reported: 15.01.2026 11:591 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FTC bans GM from selling drivers' location data for five years — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 15.01.2026 11:59