General Motors settling FTC allegations related to sharing location data

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against General Motors (GM) and OnStar over allegations they collected, used, and sold drivers’ precise geolocation data and driving behavior information from millions of vehicles without adequately notifying consumers and obtaining their affirmative consent. Under a proposed order settling the FTC’s allegations, General Motors, General Motors Holdings, and OnStar, which are owned by General Motors Company, will be banned for five years from disclosing consumers’ sensitive geolocation and driver behavior data to consumer reporting agencies. They also must take other steps to provide greater transparency and choice to consumers over the collection, use, and disclosure of their connected vehicle data, announced the FTC.