In our high-tech world, we know some devices know more about us than we like - everything from what we watch on our smart TV to our browsing habits online are often tracked and sold to the highest bidder.
That data is big money. By some estimates, the data brokerage industry generates $200 billion annually. How that data is used and by whom is a big concern for privacy experts.
An exposé in the New York Times claims you can add cars to that list of devices gobbling up our information. Everything from how fast you accelerate to how quickly you slam on the brakes is gathered. The report says General Motors was collecting that data through its smart driver feature but customers were often unaware. Some of those drivers report that info was then used by their insurance company to raise their rates.
Now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing GM, accusing the company of selling driver data from more than 14 million vehicles to third-party companies without the customer’s consent. GM responded saying it is reviewing the lawsuit and emphasized it was committed to consumer privacy.
Lawmakers are now calling on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.