FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2026)—Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today a $220 million settlement with General Motors over allegations of illegally selling consumers’ private driver behavior data and location information to third parties. Insurance companies used the data in part to hike insurance rates.
Kentucky, which joined a 36-state coalition, is set to receive nearly $6.5 million. As part of the settlement, GM is now required to obtain consent from consumers before collecting or disclosing consumer driving and location data.
From 2016 to 2024, GM enrolled millions of drivers in its Smart Driver program at the same time they signed up for GM’s OnStar services. Sales employees received bonuses based in part on how many customers they signed up for these connected vehicle services and dealerships were ranked based on their enrollment numbers.
The automaker pitched this tool as a way for drivers to improve their own driving safety but ultimately sold their information. Insurance companies who purchased the information were then able to change the driver’s premium based on driving habits including how many times they braked or accelerated quicky and whether they went faster than the speed limit. GM later discontinued the Smart Driver program.
“We are committed to protecting Kentuckians, their data privacy and their wallets. Kentucky drivers can rest assured their Attorney General’s Office stands at the ready to fight for their families,” said Attorney General Coleman.
As part of the settlement, GM will now limit the data it collects from consumers and protect their personal information going forward. They’ve also agreed to oversight and training requirements at their dealerships to protect consumers against being enrolled in data collection schemes without their consent.
Attorney General Coleman served on the litigation’s executive committee. Assistant Attorneys General Matt Cocanougher and Lyndsey Antos led Kentucky's efforts. The coalition was co-led by Washington and Oregon and included attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawai’i, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
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