Montana Attorney General Opens Investigation Into Ford, Stellantis

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has launched a consumer protection investigation into Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis N.V., alleging that both automakers have been collecting and selling drivers’ personal data to third-party companies — including insurance data brokers — without vehicle owners’ knowledge or consent.

Mr. Knudsen issued Civil Investigative Demands to both companies, giving each one month to respond with detailed information about their data collection practices. The investigation is being brought under Montana’s Consumer Protection Act, which governs the handling of residents’ personal and financial information.

The probe follows recent reporting that major automakers have been selling granular driving behavior data — including speed, braking patterns and location information — to third-party analytics firms such as LexisNexis and Verisk Analytics, which in turn supply the data to insurance companies. Insurers have used such data to adjust premiums, in some cases without drivers being aware their vehicle was transmitting the information.

“It appears vehicle owners are unaware that their driving data is being collected and sold to third parties without their consent,” Mr. Knudsen said. “If true, this deceitful practice raises serious consumer protection concerns and is also a violation of state law.”

Among the information Mr. Knudsen is demanding from both companies is a full accounting of all products, services and platforms used to collect driving and personal data, as well as details on how that data is shared, sold or licensed to outside parties.

The investigation adds Montana to a growing list of states scrutinizing automakers’ data practices. The collection and commercialization of vehicle telematics data has drawn increasing attention from state attorneys general, federal regulators and consumer advocates as modern connected vehicles become capable of generating and transmitting vast amounts of behavioral data with little transparency to owners.

Ford and Stellantis, which owns brands including Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

By: DNU staff