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Ford has announced a “Privacy Promise” and published a website explaining its vehicle-data practices and how customers can deactivate different types of collection and sharing. The move comes days after General Motors agreed to pay $220 million to 36 states to settle a lawsuit over customer data sold without consent. Ford’s site provides instructions, but no single control to switch all data sharing off.
Ford has announced a “Privacy Promise” and launched a website describing its vehicle-data practices, days after General Motors agreed to a $220 million settlement with 36 states over allegations that it sold customer data without consent. Ford says customers are in control of what they share, but the new site does not provide a single switch for turning off all data collection and sharing.
Ford described the promise as an “explicit commitment” that customers’ vehicle data is safe with the company and that customers control what they share. The website outlines Ford’s practices and gives instructions for deactivating different kinds of data collection and sharing. The guidance covers Ford’s websites, app and vehicles, according to The Drive’s November 2 report.
The site’s instructions are not a one-step, all-or-nothing control. The Drive reports that customers must consult guidance for different data types and settings rather than use one place to disable everything. Ford’s announcement therefore sets out a privacy commitment and offers ways to change settings, but does not establish that all collection stops through one action.
The announcement followed GM’s settlement by several days. According to The Drive, GM agreed to pay $220 million to 36 states to settle a lawsuit concerning the sale of customers’ data without consent. The report says drivers will not receive settlement payments. Those details concern GM’s agreement; they do not establish that Ford engaged in the same conduct.
How Ford Owners Can Control Data
Connected vehicles can generate information through their systems and associated digital services. For owners, the practical issue is not only what a company says about privacy, but also what information is collected, how it is used, and how easily settings can be changed. Ford’s site gives customers a place to review instructions across its products and services, while the lack of a single off switch may mean more work for people seeking to limit sharing.
The timing also puts automakers’ data practices under sharper public scrutiny. GM’s settlement shows that state authorities have pursued a case over vehicle-related customer information. Ford’s announcement is a separate corporate commitment, not evidence of a legal finding or enforcement action against Ford. Customers comparing automakers will still need to examine the specific settings and policies that apply to their vehicle and account.
The announcement’s usefulness will depend in part on whether the instructions are clear, cover the data customers care about, and explain the effect of turning off each option. The report describes the site as guidance, but does not detail every data category or setting. Owners should not assume that changing one setting disables every form of collection.
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Ford Responds After GM Case
The immediate backdrop is GM’s agreement to settle a lawsuit brought by 36 states. The Drive characterizes the suit as concerning GM’s sale of customer data without consent and reports a total payment of $220 million. The source does not provide the settlement terms, the states’ individual allegations, or details about any required changes to GM’s practices.
Ford’s response, as described in the report, is a company privacy commitment and a customer guidance website. It is not reported as a settlement, regulatory order, or admission of wrongdoing. The distinction matters: GM’s legal agreement and Ford’s voluntary announcement are different developments, and the available material does not establish a direct connection beyond their close timing.
““An explicit commitment to customers that their vehicle data is safe with us and they’re in control of what they share.””
— Ford, as quoted in The Drive’s report
Details Owners Still Need
The report does not list every kind of data Ford collects, identify which services or vehicle models each setting applies to, or explain whether turning off a particular option affects vehicle features. It also does not provide the full wording of Ford’s policies or the steps required for each setting. Those specifics matter for customers deciding what to disable.
It is also unclear from the available report whether Ford plans to add a centralized control, how often the website will be updated, or whether the company’s commitment includes independent review or measurable compliance checks. No such plans or verification are described in the source. Ford’s pledge is a statement of policy, not independent confirmation that every data practice meets the commitment.
For GM, the source reports the settlement amount and number of states but does not provide the complete legal agreement or explain how the states’ claims were resolved. The report says drivers will not receive money from the settlement; it does not give further details about other possible remedies or obligations.
What Ford Owners Can Check
Ford owners can consult the company’s new website and review settings for the vehicle, app and web services they use. They may need to check each category separately because the site, according to The Drive, does not offer one control for all collection and sharing. Before changing a setting, owners can review Ford’s explanation of what information is involved and whether disabling it affects a feature.
Further developments would include any changes Ford makes to its settings or privacy guidance, and any additional detail the company provides about the scope of its promise. The source does not identify a deadline or scheduled follow-up. The broader question for customers is whether Ford’s stated commitment is matched by accessible controls and clear explanations of how data is handled.
Key Questions
What did Ford announce?
Ford announced a “Privacy Promise” and published a website outlining its data practices and explaining how customers can deactivate different types of collection and sharing.
Can Ford owners turn off all data sharing with one click?
No. The Drive reports that Ford’s site does not provide a single control to turn all collection and sharing on or off. Owners may need to review separate instructions for different services and data types.
What was GM’s settlement?
According to The Drive, GM agreed to pay $220 million to 36 states to settle a lawsuit over customer data sold without consent. The report says drivers will not receive a share of the payment.
Does GM’s case show that Ford sold customer data?
No. The reported settlement concerns GM. The source describes Ford’s announcement as a privacy commitment and does not report that Ford was accused of the same conduct.
Source: thedrive.com
