Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
GM to pay $220 million to settle driver data case with 36 states
General Motors agreed to pay $220 million to settle a case brought by 36 states over its handling of drivers’ data.
State attorneys general alleged that GM sold customers’ driving behavior and location information to data brokers, which then provided it to insurers.
The data came from Smart Driver, a program that tracked driving habits, including braking and acceleration.
GM ended the program in 2024, after concerns about the practice became public.
Under the settlement, GM must get customers’ express consent before collecting or sharing this data and strengthen its privacy protections.
An outside party will assess GM’s privacy program, adding a new check on the company’s compliance.
The agreement also requires steps to limit and safeguard the data GM collects, while GM says it will no longer sell information linked to a person, vehicle location or driving behavior.
General Motors agreed to pay $220 million to settle a lawsuit brought by attorneys general from 36 states over the alleged sale of drivers’ location and driving data.
The settlement requires GM to obtain drivers’ express consent before collecting or sharing that data.
It also requires GM to have a third party assess its privacy program, according to TechCrunch.
The states alleged that data brokers sold the information to insurers, which could affect customers’ insurance prices.
GM said its Smart Driver program ended in 2024 and that the agreement reinforces steps it has taken to strengthen privacy practices.
- Who
- General Motors and a coalition of attorneys general from 36 states.
- What
- GM agreed to pay $220 million to settle allegations that it unlawfully sold drivers’ location and driving behavior data.
- When
- The agreement was announced Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The states alleged that GM sold the data to brokers, which then sold it to insurers.
The coalition of 36 state attorneys general
General Motors
Alleged data sales
The coalition of 36 state attorneys general
The coalition alleged GM unlawfully sold drivers’ identifiable location and driving data to brokers, which then sold it to insurers.
General Motors
GM said the agreement addresses Smart Driver, which it ended in 2024, and reinforces steps it has taken to strengthen privacy practices.
Customer consent
The coalition of 36 state attorneys general
The coalition alleged GM sold data despite promising customers it would not give insurers their data without affirmative consent.
General Motors
GM said it is committed to being clear about data use, protection and customers’ choices about what they share.
GM allegedly enrolled millions of people in its Smart Driver program.
GM ended Smart Driver after the New York Times exposed the practice, according to The Record.
The FTC finalized an order banning GM and OnStar from sharing certain consumer data.
GM agreed to pay $220 million to settle the lawsuit brought by attorneys general from 36 states.
- Settlement amount
- $220 million
- States in coalition
- 36
- Smart Driver program
- Ended in 2024
- Consent requirement
- Express consent before collecting or sharing driving and location data
- External review
- A third party must assess GM’s privacy program
2 sources
What people are saying
This agreement addresses Smart Driver, a product we ended in 2024, and reinforces steps we’ve taken to strengthen our privacy practices.
Safer, more helpful and personalized experiences are enabled by connected vehicle data, and GM is committed to being clear about what information is used, how it’s protected, and the choices customers have about what they share.
The data GM sold was personal, identifiable, and specific,