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Ford promises not to sell your driving habits to data brokers
Ford has pledged not to sell customers’ driving data to third-party data brokers, seeking to distinguish itself from automakers criticised for sharing vehicle data without permission. It says it will use aggregated and anonymised data, explain its practices clearly and let customers control how much information they share, while continuing to use data to improve safety.
The pledge follows General Motors’ agreement to pay $220 million to settle claims over the unauthorised sale of drivers’ location and driving information. A review of 21 vehicle brands found that all sent data to at least one third-party domain over Wi-Fi, while Mozilla reported that 84 per cent of the automakers it reviewed shared user data externally. Ford says a survey of more than 1,000 US customers found 41 per cent were very or extremely concerned about privacy in the car industry. The pledge is not itself a legal contract; Ford’s privacy policy and vehicle terms set out the rules and exceptions.
In short
- Ford says it will not sell driving data to data brokers.
- Customers will be able to adjust how much data they share.
- The pledge is not a contract; Ford’s official terms govern data use.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ford’s pledge could help restore trust by setting a clear limit on selling identifiable driving data to brokers, while still allowing aggregated information to improve safety. Giving customers clearer explanations and control over data sharing recognises that people should have a meaningful say in how information about their journeys is used.
The case against
A pledge that is not a legal contract may offer limited assurance if Ford’s privacy policy and vehicle terms retain exceptions or can change. Even without sales to data brokers, collecting and sharing vehicle data may raise privacy concerns, and anonymised or aggregated data may not fully remove them; customers may also find it difficult to understand or manage their choices.
Explained simply
Modern cars can collect information such as where they travel and how they are driven, often through connected services and safety features. Carmakers may use this data to improve vehicles, but sharing it with outside companies has raised questions about drivers’ privacy and control.
Ford is a major US carmaker, and data brokers are firms that gather or trade information about people. Other carmakers have faced scrutiny over sharing vehicle data; General Motors agreed to pay $220 million to settle claims linked to drivers’ location and driving information.
The issue matters because drivers may not know what their cars record or who receives that information. Ford’s pledge describes its approach, while its privacy policy and vehicle terms set out the rules and exceptions.