GM agrees to $220 million settlement over drivers’ private data

General Motors will pay $220 million to settle allegations that it sold drivers’ behaviour and location data without adequate consent. A coalition of 36 attorneys general announced the agreement on 29 October. The settlement requires affirmative express consent before collecting or disclosing the covered data, according to Washington’s attorney general. ^[1][2]

United StatesEvent: 29 October 2026Under 1 min read

Published 29 Oct 2026, 20:56 UTC

The facts

The case concerns GM’s Smart Driver programme, which enrolled millions of drivers between 2016 and its discontinuation in 2024. The states alleged that information went to brokers and then insurers, which could use it to set premiums. ^[1][2]
Washington and Oregon co-led the case. Washington said the agreement also requires limits on data collection, a comprehensive privacy programme, assessments and dealership oversight and training. ^[1]
GM told The Verge that the agreement addresses a product it ended in 2024 and reinforces steps it has taken to improve privacy practices. ^[2]

Sources

References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 29 Oct 2026, 20:56 UTC.

GM to pay $220M for sharing drivers’ private data in case co-led by Washington
Washington State Attorney General · Primary source · 29 Oct 2026
Actual government announcement read, including the consent and oversight requirements. This reports the settlement terms and the states’ allegations, not individual consumer-loss determinations.
GM to pay $220 million to resolve claims it sold driving habits data
The Verge · Reporting · 29 Oct 2026
Emma Roth’s actual article read, including GM spokesperson Charlotte McCoy’s emailed response. Independently owned from the attorneys general and GM.

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