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Yes—the Federal Trade Commission has acted. In January 2025, it announced a case against General Motors and OnStar over allegations that they collected and shared drivers’ precise location and driving-behavior data without adequate disclosure or consent. The FTC finalized an order settling those allegations in January 2026. That is a specific case against GM and OnStar, not an FTC finding against every automaker.
What the FTC alleged about GM and OnStar
The FTC said GM and OnStar encouraged customers to enroll in OnStar and Smart Driver through a confusing process that did not adequately explain the collection and sharing of precise location and driving-behavior data or obtain affirmative consent. The agency said some users’ location data was collected as often as every three seconds. Its complaint alleged that data was shared with consumer reporting agencies for reports used in insurance decisions.
These were allegations resolved through a settlement order, rather than findings that apply to the rest of the auto industry. The FTC described the case as its first action related to connected-vehicle data. The FTC’s January 2025 announcement and its complaint set out the allegations.
Why the “pennies” claim needs careful attribution
A 2024 letter from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Edward Markey reported two automaker-to-Verisk data-sharing payments. The letter says the figures were supplied by the automakers; they are examples, not an industry-wide rate or FTC findings.
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| Automaker and recipient | Vehicles and reported payment | Reported amount per vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Honda to Verisk | 97,000 cars; $25,920 | 26 cents |
| Hyundai to Verisk | 1.7 million vehicles; $1,043,315.69 | 61 cents |
These are the per-vehicle amounts reported in the senators’ 2024 letter. They do not show what every automaker pays, what any particular driver’s data is worth, or whether the same arrangement continues today.
What the finalized FTC order requires
The FTC finalized its order in January 2026. It applies to GM and OnStar and settles the allegations; it does not impose the same obligations on all carmakers. The order:
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- Bars GM from disclosing specified geolocation and driver-behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for five years.
- Requires affirmative express consent for covered collection, use, or sharing for 20 years, subject to limited exceptions.
- Requires a way for U.S. consumers to request a copy of their data and seek its deletion.
- Requires certain opt-out and location-disabling options.
The FTC’s final-order announcement describes the remedies and their scope.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Has the FTC investigated other automakers?
The available official actions do not establish equivalent FTC enforcement against every manufacturer. The Wyden-Markey letter reports data-sharing arrangements involving Honda and Hyundai, but those figures do not show that the FTC brought the same case against them. Texas took separate state action: its attorney general said Texas investigated several automakers and sued GM in 2024. That is not an FTC investigation. The Texas Attorney General’s release describes that state case.
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What drivers can check and do
Connected-car settings and programs vary by make, model, and year, so there is no universal switch that stops every kind of data collection. Start with the manufacturer’s official privacy information and the settings for connected services, driver-scoring programs, and location features. Check what information is collected, whether a third party receives it, and how to withdraw consent or request deletion.
- Review enrollment screens and privacy terms before activating connected services or a driving-score feature.
- Look for controls to opt out, disable location access, or stop a particular service; confirm whether disabling a feature affects other services you rely on.
- Ask the manufacturer what data it holds and what process applies to access or deletion requests.
- Before selling or handing over a vehicle, remove personal information and reset connected services where the manufacturer’s instructions allow it. The FTC’s connected-car privacy guidance also advises wiping personal data before selling a car.
These steps help drivers use the controls a manufacturer provides; they do not guarantee that all vehicle data collection or sharing stops.
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