General Motors Allegedly Sells Your Driving Data To Insurance Agencies

Texas has filed a lawsuit against General Motors, accusing the automaker of installing technology in over 14 million vehicles to collect data about drivers, which was then allegedly sold to insurers and other companies without the drivers' consent.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the lawsuit following a probe that began in June, investigating whether automakers were collecting and selling vast amounts of driver data without their knowledge.

According to Automotive News, the collected data was used to compile "Driving Scores" for over 1.8 million Texas drivers. These scores assessed behaviors such as speeding, hard braking, sharp steering, not wearing seatbelts, and driving at night. The data, Paxton alleges, was made available to insurers, who could then use it to make decisions about raising premiums, canceling policies, or denying coverage.

The technology in question was reportedly installed on most GM vehicles starting with the 2015 model year. The lawsuit claims that GM misled consumers into believing that enrolling in its OnStar diagnostic products, which collected the data, was mandatory when purchasing or leasing a vehicle.

Paxton described GM's actions as a violation of Texans' privacy rights and an illegal business practice. The lawsuit, filed in a state court in Montgomery County near Houston, seeks the destruction of the improperly collected data, compensation for affected drivers, civil fines, and other remedies under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

GM responded to the lawsuit by stating that they are in discussions with the Attorney General's office and are reviewing the complaint, emphasizing their commitment to protecting consumer privacy.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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