Quick Hits:
- Breach of Trust:GM allegedly sold detailed driving data from 14 million vehicles without drivers’ consent, triggering a lawsuit from Texas.
- Hidden Surveillance:The lawsuit claims GM misled consumers, collecting data through OnStar programs under false pretenses.
- Privacy at Risk:Texas seeks to hold GM accountable, pushing for the destruction of data and compensation for impacted drivers
By Samuel Lopez, USA Herald
[TEXAS] – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against GM, accusing the automaker of installing technology in over 14 million vehicles, starting from the 2015 model year, to collect detailed driving data without the drivers’ consent. This data was then allegedly sold to insurance companies and other third parties, raising serious concerns about consumer privacy.
According to the lawsuit, GM used this technology to compile “Driving Scores” for more than 1.8 million Texas drivers. These scores, based on behaviors like speeding, hard braking, sharp steering, not wearing seatbelts, and nighttime driving, were then sold to insurance companies. The insurers, in turn, could use this information to decide whether to raise premiums, cancel policies, or deny coverage altogether. For Texas drivers, this means that their everyday driving habits—unbeknownst to them—could be used against them in the insurance marketplace.
