The FTC alleged that General Motors and its OnStar subsidiary collected and sold drivers' precise geolocation and driving behavior data (e.g., hard braking, speeding) to consumer reporting agencies without adequately notifying consumers or obtaining their affirmative consent. A proposed consent order bans the companies from disclosing this sensitive data to consumer reporting agencies for five years and requires them to implement clearer consent mechanisms, data access/deletion processes, and opt-out options.
The proposed order prohibits GM and OnStar from misrepresenting their data practices, bans disclosure of covered driver data to consumer reporting agencies for five years, requires affirmative express consent prior to collecting connected vehicle data (with limited exceptions), mandates a process for consumers to access and delete their data, and requires providing consumers the ability to disable precise geolocation collection and opt-out of geolocation/driver behavior data collection.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor agreements (particularly with data brokers or consumer reporting agencies), customer-facing terms of service/privacy policies, and data processing agreements. Focus on clauses governing data sharing, consent mechanisms (especially for sensitive data like precise geolocation and driving behavior), opt-out rights, data retention, and disclosures to third parties. Changes needed include: adding explicit, affirmative consent requirements for collecting and sharing sensitive connected vehicle data; prohibiting disclosure of such data to consumer reporting agencies for five years; implementing clear, accessible opt-out processes; establishing robust data access and deletion procedures; and ensuring enrollment processes are not misleading.
Entity
General Motors LLC, General Motors Holdings LLC, and OnStar LLC
Also known as: General Motors
Industry
AutomotiveOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-takes-action-against-general-motors-sharing-drivers-precise-location-driving-behavior-data
242 3052 general motors decisionandorder
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/242_3052_-_general_motors_decisionandorder.pdf
242 3052 general motors complaint
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/242_3052_-_general_motors_complaint.pdf
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"General Motors LLC, General Motors Holdings LLC, and OnStar LLC"
"GM failed to clearly disclose that it collected consumers’ precise geolocation and driving behavior data and sold it to third parties, including consumer reporting agencies, without consumers’ consent."
"GM monitored and sold people’s precise geolocation data and driver behavior information, sometimes as often as every three seconds."
"The proposed order would prohibit GM and OnStar from misrepresenting information about how they collect, use, and share consumers’ location and driver behavior data."
"The proposed order would ban GM and OnStar from disclosing consumers’ geolocation and driver behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for five years from the date the order is entered."
"The companies must obtain affirmative express consent from consumers prior to collecting connected vehicle data, with some exceptions such as providing location data to emergency first responders."
$930K
The FTC finalized orders requiring CMG Media Corporation (doing business as Cox Media Group), MindSift LLC, and 1010 Digital Works LLC to pay a total of $930,000 for falsely claiming they offered an AI-powered service that could target ads based on conversations captured from consumers' smart devices, and that consumers had opted into such targeting. The orders also prohibit the companies from making misrepresentations about their advertising services, voice data collection, and consumer consent.
The FTC announced it is seeking public comment on a proposed enforcement policy statement regarding personalized pricing, which is the use of personal data to set prices based on what a company believes an individual consumer is willing to spend. The statement warns that undisclosed collection or use of personal data for personalized pricing could violate the FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive practices. The Commission voted 2-0 to authorize the Federal Register notice.
$4.0M
The FTC and Connecticut secured a $4 million settlement with Chase Nissan LLC (doing business as Manchester City Nissan) over allegations the dealership charged consumers unauthorized fees, including double-charging for 'certified pre-owned' vehicles and inserting charges like total loss protection into financing agreements without consent. The settlement requires $4 million in consumer redress, prohibits misrepresentations about vehicle certification and warranties, mandates prominent disclosure of the maximum total vehicle price, and requires express informed consent for all charges.
The FTC filed a complaint against Credit Glory LLC and related entities for deceptive credit repair practices, including false promises, impersonating debt collectors, charging illegal upfront fees, and using negative option billing without consent. A federal court temporarily halted the operation.
The FTC issued a policy statement abandoning disparate-impact liability, stating it will no longer bring claims based on this theory. It also modified compliance obligations for several companies based on past decisions.
The FTC, along with Utah and California, filed a complaint against Hims & Hers alleging the telehealth provider shared consumers' sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms without consent, and deceived consumers about billing and cancellation practices. The complaint alleges violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.