Bergen County drivers in GM data privacy settlement

General Motors agreed to pay $220 million to resolve a class action lawsuit concerning driver data collected in New Jersey and across the country. The settlement follows a multi-year investigation into the automaker's Smart Driver program, which was discontinued in 2024.

The program recorded specific driving metrics, including acceleration rates, instances of speeding, and vehicle usage times. Prosecutors alleged that GM shared this information with data brokers who worked with insurance companies without obtaining proper permission from the vehicle owners.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 35 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia in filing the suit. New Jersey Attorney General's Office was part of this group. Tong stated that GM turned private vehicles into mobile insurance surveillance machines without consumer consent or awareness. He described the violation as egregious and noted the investigation was among Connecticut's first actions under its Data Privacy Act.

Under the terms of the settlement, GM must obtain affirmative, express consent from drivers before collecting or disclosing data related to driving behavior and locations. The financial distribution includes approximately $12 million for New York and $6 million for Connecticut. New Jersey is also a beneficiary of the agreement, though the specific state allocation was not detailed in the release.

A General Motors spokesperson said the agreement addresses a product the company ended in 2024. The statement emphasized that GM is committed to clarifying what information is used, how it is protected, and the choices customers have regarding data sharing. The company noted that connected vehicle data enables safer and more personalized experiences.