General Motors will pay $220 million to settle claims that it sold driving data without consent, but the money goes to states and drivers get privacy rights, not cash.
General Motors agreed on October 29, 2026 to pay $220 million to settle claims that it sold drivers' driving and location data without their knowledge. The money goes to the states. Drivers do not get a check, and there is no claim form to fill out.
A coalition of 36 attorneys general brought the claims. That covers 35 states and the District of Columbia, and New York is part of it. Washington and Oregon led the group. Washington filed its complaint and a consent decree, which is a court-approved agreement, the same day in King County Superior Court. The other states are entering similar judgments of their own.
The claims centered on Smart Driver, a GM product. Drivers enrolled from 2016 to 2024 are covered. GM did not admit any violation or liability. It said the agreement "addresses Smart Driver, a product we ended in 2024, and reinforces steps we've taken to strengthen our privacy practices."
The $220 million is paid to the participating states. Michigan's attorney general said the settlement does not provide consumer restitution, meaning repayment to individuals. Each state will use its share as its own law allows, such as for investigation costs and future consumer protection enforcement.
The deal gives drivers privacy rights instead of money. GM must:
If you drove a GM car with Smart Driver, you can ask GM for a copy of your data. You can also ask GM to delete it. The settlement requires GM to honor both requests.
Money for drivers could still come from a separate case. A nationwide class action, In re Consumer Vehicle Driving Data Tracking Litigation, is pending in federal court in Georgia and seeks money for drivers. As of October 30, 2026, it has no settlement, no certified class and no claim form. The state deal says it does not create, waive or limit any private right of action.
Texas and California are not in the coalition. Each has its own case against GM.
No cash is available from this deal, but Smart Driver users can ask GM for a copy of their data and ask it to delete it.
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