Ford launches privacy promise ahead of connected vehicle rollout
Ford committed to protecting customer vehicle data and providing sharing controls as it prepares to launch new connected vehicles. The move follows a $220 million settlement involving General Motors and highlights growing consumer concern over data collection.
Ford unveiled a "privacy promise" on Monday, committing to keep customer vehicle data safe and providing controls for data sharing. The automaker launched a website to educate customers on data usage and settings ahead of the launch of new connected vehicles on its Universal Electric Vehicle platform. This initiative aims to differentiate Ford in an increasingly connected automotive market by communicating more clearly about existing controls.
The move follows a $220 million settlement with 36 states last week involving General Motors, which faced Federal Trade Commission issues over selling vehicle data to third parties. Polling indicates that while U.S. customers desire connectivity features like remote start and driver assistance, only 14% fully understand what data their vehicles collect. This gap in consumer awareness has allowed competitors like Slate Auto, an EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, to market themselves as better stewards of customer data ahead of its minimalist pickup truck launch later this year.