Illinois to Receive $10.5 Million in $220 Million GM Data Privacy Settlement

CHICAGO – Illinois will receive approximately $10.5 million from a $220 million settlement with General Motors over allegations the automaker improperly sold drivers’ personal information to data brokers and insurance companies. Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the settlement Thursday as part of a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general. The investigation found GM collected driving habits and location data through its Smart Driver program from 2016 to 2024, including speeding, hard braking and acceleration. The information was allegedly sold to data brokers and shared with insurance companies, which could use it to adjust customers’ insurance rates. The settlement requires GM to obtain drivers’ express consent before collecting or sharing their driving and location data. The company must also establish a comprehensive privacy program and strengthen dealership oversight and employee training to prevent customers from being enrolled in data collection programs without their consent.