Settlement/GM—
In a victory for consumers, General Motors has agreed to a settlement that includes a $12.5 million penalty for selling drivers’ data. State officials announced the settlement last Friday.
“General Motors sold the data of California drivers without their knowledge or consent and despite numerous statements reassuring drivers that it would not do so. This trove of information included precise and personal location data that could identify the everyday habits and movements of Californians,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta in a news release. “Today’s settlement requires General Motors to abandon these illegal practices and underscores the importance of the data minimization in California’s privacy law — companies can’t just hold on to data and use it later for another purpose. I am proud to go to bat for the privacy rights of Californians and to collaborate with state and local partners who share the same commitment to consumer protection.”
“To car companies who want to speed off with your data without your consent, these penalties should serve as a warning: No matter how big of a company you are, you will be held accountable in California. We appreciate the California Attorney General, our partner District Attorneys, and the California Privacy Protection Agency for working with us to stand up for consumers,” added Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman in the release.
The data came from OnStar Smart Driver a product GM owned but terminated in 2024. More here.
