AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into car manufacturers over their data collection and sharing practices, focusing on whether they are selling drivers’ data to third parties, including insurance providers, without proper disclosure. This move marks the latest effort by state authorities to address growing concerns over data privacy in the automotive industry.
Paxton announced Thursday that his office has directed several car manufacturers and their business partners to produce documents detailing their data collection and sharing activities, as well as the extent to which they inform customers about these practices. The companies under investigation were not disclosed.
“The technology in modern vehicles enables manufacturers to collect millions of data points about the people driving them,” Paxton said. “Recently, consumers have grown extremely concerned that their driving data is being reported to their insurance company without their knowledge or authorization. These reports of the invasive and unmitigated collection and sale of data without consumer consent are disturbing, and they merit a thorough investigation and appropriate enforcement.”
