Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 1 hr ago
Ford promises not to sell driving data, but opting out disables some features
Ford has launched a privacy promise for its connected-car data, alongside a website explaining what it collects and how drivers can change sharing settings.
The promise comes as Ford prepares for more connected vehicles, including electric cars built on its upcoming universal electric vehicle platform.
Ford says it collects vehicle diagnostics, driving habits and location data to support services such as navigation, traffic updates and roadside assistance, and to improve vehicles.
The company says it will not sell driving data to brokers or insurers, and that it will not use the information for targeted advertising.
Drivers can change their settings through the Ford app or, in vehicles built from 2018 onward, the vehicle’s screen.
But opting out can disable connected features, including real-time navigation and built-in roadside assistance; other features named by Ford include BlueCruise and location services.
The company says the goal is to explain its practices and help customers understand their choices as its vehicles collect more data.
Ford has launched a privacy promise and website explaining what vehicle data it collects, how it uses it and how customers can manage sharing.
Ford says it will not sell driving data to brokers or insurers.
Turning off connected services can disable features including real-time navigation and built-in roadside assistance.
Ford says its connected vehicles collect diagnostic, driving-characteristic and location data.
The announcement comes ahead of a new generation of connected Ford vehicles.
- Who
- Ford.
- What
- Ford launched a privacy promise and website about vehicle data collection and customer privacy settings.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Ford says it wants to explain its data practices, give customers control over what they share and build trust ahead of more connected vehicles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kristin Jones joined Ford after nearly two decades working on privacy in legal, financial and healthcare fields.
Ford unveiled its privacy promise and launched a website explaining its data practices and privacy settings.
Ford is preparing to launch a new generation of connected vehicles, including vehicles built on its upcoming universal electric vehicle platform.
- Data collected
- Vehicle diagnostics, driving characteristics and location data
- Survey
- 91% of 1,000 consumers said data privacy was a key consideration
- Customer understanding
- 14% said they fully understand what data their vehicle collects
- Opt-out trade-off
- Turning off connected services can disable real-time navigation and built-in roadside assistance
- Ford commitment
- Says it will not sell driving data to brokers or insurers
3 sources
What people are saying
I personally think that it’s super important for us to be making it very clear to our customers what our data practices are, and not only that, but making a commitment to them about it.
I also see this as a great opportunity to educate our customers about how they share data.
We did a survey of 1,000 consumers, and 91% of them said that data privacy was a key consideration for them.