Ford pledges never to sell driver data to third‑party brokers

Ford’s new privacy promise

Ford announced that it will never sell customer driving data to third‑party data brokers. The automaker says the pledge is part of a broader effort to protect personal information.

According to the company, data will be handled using aggregation and anonymization techniques. Ford also commits to providing “clear and easy‑to‑understand information about how we use your personal information.” Drivers will be able to choose how much data they share, with the option to limit collection.

Context of the pledge

The announcement comes after General Motors agreed to a $220 million settlement for illegally selling driver and location information to data brokers. The settlement requires GM to limit data collection and obtain “express consent” before gathering driver information.

Recent research found that every one of 21 examined vehicle brands transmitted data to at least one third‑party domain over Wi‑Fi, and more than half contacted domains that specialize in advertising, tracking, or analytics such as Adobe, LexisNexis, and Amplitude. Mozilla labeled modern connected cars “the worst category of products for privacy,” noting that 92 percent of automakers give drivers little control and 84 percent share data with outside parties.

Consumer attitudes

Ford said it surveyed over 1,000 U.S. customers, including both Ford owners and owners of other brands. The respondents indicated that privacy is a top concern, and more than half said they understand that some data sharing is acceptable. A sizable portion expressed strong concern about data privacy in the auto industry, though they were less worried than about social media companies, government, or financial institutions.

Company statement

Kristin Jones, Ford’s chief privacy officer, wrote in a blog post, We know that trust is earned. Protecting your personal information is one way we intend to earn it every day.

Ford’s pledge aims to differentiate the company in an industry where data‑sharing practices have drawn legal and regulatory scrutiny.