Texas AG Sues GM Over Alleged Unauthorized Collection of Driver Data

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against General Motors, alleging the automotive company illegally gathered private data from Texas drivers and subsequently sold this information to insurance firms.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Paxton outlined his office’s findings, claiming that GM collected data from over 1.5 million drivers in Texas without their permission. The investigation revealed that the company sold this data to third parties.

According to Paxton, GM utilized technology within vehicles manufactured in 2015 or later to compile detailed driving data. Specific technologies mentioned include the OnStar Smart Driver, which is designed to gather extensive information about driver behavior and vehicle usage.

“Our investigation revealed that General Motors has engaged in egregious business practices that violated Texans’ privacy and broke the law,” Paxton declared. “We will hold them accountable. Companies are using invasive technology to violate the rights of our citizens in unthinkable ways.”

He emphasized that “millions of American drivers wanted to buy a car, not a comprehensive surveillance system that unlawfully records information about every driver they take and sells their data to any company willing to pay for it.”

General Motors acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that they are aware of the allegations regarding their data collection practices.

A spokesperson for GM commented, “We’ve been in discussions with the attorney general’s office and are reviewing the complaint. We share the desire to protect consumers’ privacy.”

The situation raises significant questions about privacy rights and the extent to which companies can collect and utilize consumer data without explicit consent.

As technology continues to advance, the potential for misuse of personal information has become a pressing concern for many consumers. The issue at hand highlights the importance of transparency and accountability from corporations regarding how they handle private data.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications not only for General Motors but also for the entire automotive industry as it grapples with similar technology and data privacy concerns.

Consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the information being collected by their vehicles and the potential for this data to be shared with third parties, sometimes without their knowledge.

This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between consumer rights advocates and large corporations over data privacy standards and regulations.

With many drivers relying on modern technology for navigation, safety, and entertainment, it’s essential for them to understand how their information is being handled and who has access to it.

Moving forward, this case could lead to stricter regulations surrounding data privacy and more robust protections for consumers, particularly in industries dealing with highly personal information.