What data is your car sharing about you?

[Consumer Reports]   Friend, These days, newer cars are giant computers on wheels, which begs the question: what kind of data do our cars gather about us, and how’s it being used? A recent New York Times investigation uncovered one disturbing answer: automakers are selling driving data which insurance companies are able to use to hike drivers’ insurance premiums or deny them insurance altogether – all without the drivers’ knowledge!  Consumers are protected by law from unfair and deceptive practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should investigate automakers and use their power to stop any unfair and deceptive practices regarding the sharing and use of driving data. [Join us in demanding the FTC take action immediately against these automakers.]( [Tell the FTC to Act!](  Here’s how it works: drivers may decide to enroll in and turn on so-called “smart driving” features in their vehicle’s mobile app or within the vehicle itself. This enables the collection of driving data, including the trips they’ve taken and their speed and braking habits. Automakers then sell the information to data brokers, which market it to insurance companies. Sometimes drivers didn’t know their data was being shared, or inadvertently agreed to data-sharing terms buried in lengthy terms and conditions that are nearly impossible to decipher. Even more egregious is that some car salespeople are incentivized to enroll consumers in these features and may have signed drivers up without their knowledge. Additionally, drivers claim that automakers continued to track them despite turning off these features. The FTC has the power to hold automakers accountable for any unfair or deceptive practices that harm consumers.[Join us in demanding the FTC act immediately against these automakers.]( [Tell the FTC to Act!]( It is unclear what criteria automakers and car insurance companies use to analyze your driving data and assess whether you’re a safe driver or not. Drivers who requested their “consumer disclosure reports” from data brokers were shocked to discover discrepancies within the reports. Their reports indicated hard braking and hard acceleration, despite feeling that they do not drive aggressively or dangerously. You should not have to pay more for car insurance based on information you didn’t know you were sharing (especially if it is inaccurate) and if a company doesn’t make it clear how your driving is assessed. Companies and the law should give consumers real, meaningful control over their information. [Join us in demanding the FTC to hold automakers accountable if they are engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.Â]( Help us spread the word by sharing this email with friends and family so they can join you in sending a strong message. Angel Han Consumer Reports [Unsubscribe from Consumer Reports action alerts.]( © 2022 Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10703 [Contact Consumer Reports](