GM agrees to $220 million driver-data settlement

General Motors will pay $220 million to settle allegations by a coalition of 36 state attorneys general that it shared drivers’ location and driving-behavior data with brokers, which passed it to insurers for use in setting rates. GM’s Smart Driver program tracked millions of customers from 2016 to 2024 and was promoted as a safety tool, despite assurances that information would not be shared with insurers without express consent; states alleged drivers were not adequately informed, and some dealership employees enrolled customers without their knowledge. Investigators said the OnStar app incorrectly told more than 370,000 people they were not enrolled while their data was collected and sold. The settlement requires GM to obtain affirmative express consent before collecting or disclosing driving and location data and to limit data collection; GM has discontinued Smart Driver. The settlement provides no consumer restitution, and a private class-action case is pending. Participating states will receive portions of the payment, including more than $7 million for Michigan and more than $6 million for Connecticut.