Senators Ron Wyden and Ed Markey have called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the car data privacy practices of major car manufacturers. Their investigation revealed that companies like Hyundai, General Motors, and Honda have been sharing and selling drivers’ data, including location information, often through deceptive consent methods. The senators argue that these “dark patterns” trick consumers into agreeing to data sharing, raising significant privacy concerns. For instance, Hyundai sold data from 1.7 million cars to the data broker Verisk, while GM has been sharing location data of all drivers who activated their cars’ internet connection.
The letter to the FTC emphasized the urgency of the issue, highlighting that these practices violate consumer trust and privacy. Previous FTC actions against geolocation data brokers set a precedent for targeting such practices. The senators stressed the need for holding both automakers and data brokers accountable, citing the manipulative techniques used to obtain consent. With vehicle data privacy becoming increasingly important to consumers, this investigation underscores the critical need for stronger regulations and transparency in how car companies handle personal data.