General Motors has faced major backlash as of late after some of its customers unknowingly signed up for a service that resulted in their driving data being shared with insurance companies, leading to increased premiums. Ford quickly made it quite clear that it isn’t sharing any consumer data without consent shortly thereafter, but privacy concerns remain a hot topic in today’s world, particularly as modern vehicles continue to gather large amounts of personal data. Now, a new report indicates that Ford is requiring at least some customers who finance or lease their vehicles to leave GPS tracking on, too.
According to a dealer bulletin seen by CarsDirect, Ford and Lincoln recently added a new Data Sharing Addendum to a number of retail and lease contracts. Customers are required to opt-in, after which Ford Credit and Lincoln Automotive Financial Services gain access to the vehicle’s location if those customers default on their payments. “The Addendum allows Ford Credit to obtain the vehicle’s location when the customer is in default,” the bulletin reads. “Rest assured, we have detailed processes and procedures in place to ensure we carefully handle GPS data in accordance with all applicable regulations.”
In the FAQ section, there are details pertaining to whether or not a customer can opt out of this, but it does apparently vary based on the state in which they reside in. Regardless, at least in some areas of the country, it seems as if some customers are required to opt-in, unless legal requirements say otherwise.
It seems as if Ford is doing this in an effort to track down vehicles with leases or finance terms that are in default, as it would make it easier to repossess that vehicle if the automaker could locate it using GPS. However, it’s also sure to raise concerns among customers, particularly given the fact that in some cases, at least, they’re required to opt-in and potentially share even more personal information.
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Comments
Guilty until proven innocent. What happens to the GPS tracking once the loan is paid off, or lease term is up? Most dealers have at least one, if not several other lenders & lessors they deal with, some for sure with no “ankle bracelet” requirement.
– and Data Sharing is already mentioned in the tiny print Privacy Notice when you sign up for Fordpass, even if you do not finance with FMCC. Meaning Ford is using your data both to help future development of smarter cars (like the recent Commercial announcement that the average daily mileage for Transit vans is just about half of the Electric range, maybe 75 miles), but also to sell the individual data to your insurance company? Will we soon see those companies offer discounts for insureds who DO share, and rate their premiums on real world data if you are safe driver, or not? If I don’t have GPS on my old car, will the Insurance company decide I am a HIGHER risk than those who allow monitoring? Or like Ford, just refuse to insure (or lend) to us old farts who mistrust AI to always do the right thing?
Big Brother is Watching
Well, my interest in buying a new Ranger this fall just evaporated even though I wasn’t necessarily interested in financing the purchase and would NEVER finance under those terms of collecting my GPS coordinates.
i suggest you give up you iphone then your already being tracked
True, but a phone you can easily leave somewhere and drive your nontracked vehicle to a secret hideaway 😂. Plus phones have airplane mode and ability to turn off gps which makes it more difficult to track it.
So glad I left this brand. Countless recalls, inability to service, and now stalking and selling private information – FO
What’s the problem? Most dealers (especially used car dealers) already have some type of vehicle tracking, GM has ONSTAR, some vehicle recovery companies have license plate readers on their tow equipment, some banks have a working agreement with these companies to recover vehicles, some buy here, pay here dealers install vehicle tracking devices on their cars.
What’s the problem?? How about invasion of personal privacy.
Ford is working really hard to reduce the amount of vehicles they sell! Between getting rid of the mid size cars, their CEO threatening to stop making trucks, patenting a tattletale speeding camera system, and now this. One would think they don’t actually care about what their customers want. If you finance a car to someone you’ve done enough research to know that they’ll pay it off, unless Harris/Walz get in and just obliterate the economy. Tampons for all!
There is no privacy any longer if you desire to live in the mainstream. It really doesn’t matter the political party in power. If you actually want to live off the grid, quit making comments on your phone expressing your personal views.
Ford seems to be doing everything it can to match Stellantis as the dumbest car manufacturer in the USA. Any thoughts of buying a new Ford/Lincoln product just went out the door forever if this is an actual requirement of financing through Ford Motor Credit. This is arrogance beyond belief!
Hey at least with the GPS tracking you’re new “Found On Road Dead” FORD can be located in that situation. I’d push a Chevy before towing a Ford and the hell with Dodge. Go Bowtie
Don’t worry everyone, the economy is going great, no recession here! The proliferation of auto tracking for repos after 2022 is PURELY coincidental. Oh, and don’t forget EVERYONE wants a battery-car, so you should buy one too. It will save you all of the money in the world.
Another reason to give the middle finger to Ford.
It’s just the high risk, and therefore high interest loans that would be able to be located after a repossession is required when the owner defaults on the loan. A very small percentage. This has been going on for over 30 years and required a tracking device to be installed. Nothing new here.