Your car may be collecting more information than you think. It can record where you drive, how quickly you travel and whether the vehicle needs maintenance. Depending on the model and its settings, some of that information may also be sent to the manufacturer.
Ford says it wants to make those practices easier to understand. On Nov. 2, the company announced a privacy initiative promising drivers more clarity and control over their personal information. Ford also says it does not sell data about customers’ driving behavior to insurers or data brokers.
That’s a welcome assurance, though it doesn’t mean you can switch off data sharing without any consequences. Some connected features may rely on it, so drivers may have to weigh privacy against convenience.
Ford says its new privacy website explains what information its vehicles collect and how owners can manage their choices. The company says it designs products with privacy in mind, aims to make its policies clearer and will respect the settings drivers choose.
The announcement doesn’t mean Ford has stopped collecting data from connected vehicles. The company says it uses information to operate services and improve its technology. Its chief privacy officer, Kristin Jones, has said Ford wants customers to better understand those practices as it prepares to bring more connected vehicles to market, including models based on a new electric vehicle platform. Many of the privacy controls were already available; Ford says the initiative is meant to make them easier to find and understand.
What a vehicle collects varies by model, equipment and the settings selected. Some information can be useful: diagnostics may help spot a mechanical issue, while location data can assist with roadside help or finding a parked car. Ford may also use connected vehicle information to develop technology, and, with a customer’s consent, to provide personalized services or offers. Still, driving patterns can reveal details about someone’s daily life, which makes it worth checking what’s enabled.
The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of automakers’ data practices. On Oct. 29, a coalition of 36 state attorneys general announced a $220 million settlement with General Motors over allegations that the company collected and sold driving behavior and location information to third parties, including data brokers that provided information to insurers.
The states said some insurers used the data when setting rates. Under the settlement, GM must obtain clear, affirmative consent before collecting or disclosing certain driving and location information. GM had previously ended its Smart Driver program. The case underscores how easily people may sign up for connected features without realizing how much data those systems can gather.
Ford says owners can turn off connected vehicle data sharing, but some services may then be limited. The effects depend on the vehicle and the specific settings changed. Turning off all connectivity may have a wider impact than adjusting an individual sharing preference. Ford says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can still work without sharing connected vehicle data with Ford, and local Bluetooth connections and radio playback may also remain available.
Check your vehicle’s equipment and settings before making changes. CarPlay and Android Auto rely on your phone, so it’s worth reviewing the privacy settings for your phone and apps separately.
Ford owners can review preferences using the vehicle’s touchscreen, the Ford app or an online Ford account. Menu names and available controls vary. For vehicles built in 2018 or later, Ford recommends reviewing the connected vehicle settings. To stop sharing connected vehicle data with Ford, the company says to find “Vehicle Connectivity” in the vehicle settings and turn it off. This broader option may limit connected services.
The Ford app also has separate controls for some information-sharing preferences, including Google Maps and preferred dealer notifications. Changing app personalization or marketing settings won’t necessarily change the vehicle’s connectivity settings. If you have more than one Ford, check each vehicle individually.
Ford provides ways to request access to personal information it holds and, where applicable, ask for corrections or deletion. If you’re selling or trading in your vehicle, a factory reset can remove saved addresses, connected accounts and garage door opener codes. Make sure the vehicle is also disconnected from your Ford account; depending on its equipment, you may need to remove its VIN from the account. Deleting the Ford app alone won’t stop data sharing, and a factory reset won’t erase information Ford has already received. Any request to delete that data must be made separately.
Ford’s promise about selling driving behavior data to insurers and data brokers is specific. It doesn’t rule out all collection or sharing. The company’s privacy notice describes situations where information may be shared with service providers or other parties, as well as disclosures made in response to valid legal requests. Ford may also collect location information in some circumstances even when location sharing is turned off, including emergencies, legal requirements or to protect property. A vehicle with the Ford Security Package may share its location if a Theft Alert is triggered.
And Ford’s policy doesn’t prevent an insurance company from collecting driving information through a separate phone app or a voluntary monitoring program. Those arrangements have their own terms, so it’s worth understanding what you’re agreeing to.
Ford’s public commitment is encouraging, especially given the concerns raised about how driving data can be used. But drivers should still review their individual settings. Connected services may need some information to function, and turning off connectivity entirely could mean giving up features you regularly use. If you’re buying a car, privacy practices are worth considering alongside the other features.
The same advice applies to other makes: look up your manufacturer’s privacy settings and see what information your vehicle shares. Knowing what’s collected is a useful first step toward deciding what you’re comfortable sharing.
