GM Told 370,000 Drivers They Weren't Tracked. They Actually Were

The OnStar app told more than 370,000 GM drivers they weren’t enrolled in Smart Driver. But they were, and GM collected and sold their driving data, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.^[1]

Some insurers might have used GM driving data to help set premiums. The FTC says some drivers received notices saying their premiums went up or their coverage was denied or canceled because of reports containing GM driving data.^[2]

GM ended Smart Driver in 2024 and agreed to a $220 million multistate settlement without admitting wrongdoing. The money goes to the participating states and Washington, D.C. Drivers won’t receive direct payments under this agreement.^[3]

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What data did GM Smart Driver collect?

Smart Driver logged when trips started and ended and how often drivers braked hard or accelerated quickly. An FTC complaint identifies LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk as two companies that received GM driving data.

Michigan officials say GM later removed the drivers who saw the wrong enrollment status without telling them about the error. The state alleges their data remained with brokers and insurers.

How do you request your GM driving data?

Use GM’s U.S. Consumer Privacy Request Form to request access to your personal information. Have your vehicle identification number (VIN) and OnStar account number handy if you have them.

GM says its first response will list the vehicles it associates with you and the types of data it collected. If it lists driving or location data for a vehicle you own and drive, follow the instructions in that response to ask for the records themselves.

A separate  FTC order requires GM to let U.S. consumers request copies or deletion of covered driving data, subject to legal exceptions.

Whether you’ll receive old Smart Driver records depends on what GM still has. If you plan to dispute an insurance decision, save any records you receive before asking GM to delete them.

How can you tell if Smart Driver data affected your insurance rate?

Ask your insurer whether a third-party driving report factored into your quote or renewal and which company supplied it. If a consumer report contributed to a rate increase or denial, the insurer must send an adverse action notice naming the reporting company. You have 60 days from receiving that notice to request a free copy from the company.

• Get the report. If your insurer names LexisNexis, use its consumer disclosure portal. The CFPB also lists one free LexisNexis C.L.U.E. and Telematics OnDemand report every 12 months.
• Dispute errors. Look for trips dated after you sold the car or a vehicle you never owned. You can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with the reporting company and the business that supplied it. Include documents that back you up, such as a bill of sale.
• Ask your insurer to review your rate. If the report is corrected, send the insurer the update and ask it to reconsider. If you still believe the insurer handled the decision improperly, you can file a complaint with your state insurance department.

Can a data removal service erase old driving records?

A data removal service can ask the brokers it covers to remove information such as your address or phone number. It can’t guarantee deletion of old driving records or a change to your insurance rate.

If you also want to reduce what’s publicly available about you, you can request removals yourself or compare data removal services, including identity theft protection plans that bundle removal with credit monitoring.

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Author Details

Thomas Kent

About the Author

Thomas Kent is a multi-disciplined reporter with over a decade of experience covering online platforms, digital trends, and consumer-facing tech. Tom focuses on digital privacy, data tracking, and user behavior, with a particular interest in how cookies, online surveillance, and platform design shape the modern internet experience. His reporting takes a research-driven, news-focused approach, translating complex technical topics into clear, accessible insights.