35 states, DC reach $220M settlement with General Motors over driver data privacy
General Motors has agreed to a $220 million settlement with 35 states and Washington, D.C. over allegations that it mishandled driver data privacy. The multistate action represents one of the larger consumer privacy settlements involving an automaker.
Why this matters: Cars are now data collection machines, and most drivers have no idea what is being gathered or where it goes. GM did not just sell vehicles. It apparently gathered enough data about how people drive that 35 attorneys general decided it was worth a $220 million fight. That is a significant number. It suggests the data practices were serious, not a paperwork violation. If you drive a connected car, your behavior behind the wheel is a product someone is selling. This settlement will not change that. It might pressure the industry to at least be honest about it.
Who should care: Lawyers · Privacy officers · Compliance · General readers · Policy
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