Attorney General Knudsen Launches Investigation Into Ford and Stellantis Over Driving Data Sales

Montana's Attorney General has initiated an investigation into Ford Motor Company and Stellantis N.V. regarding their practices of collecting and selling personal driving data to third-party companies. The investigation is being conducted under Montana's Consumer Protection Act, which protects residents' online personal and financial information. Both companies have been issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) requiring them to provide comprehensive documentation about their data collection practices within one month.

For consumers and manufacturers, this investigation signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of automotive data practices. Vehicle owners may have had their driving data collected and sold without explicit consent, which the AG stated raises serious consumer protection concerns. Both Ford and Stellantis must now respond with detailed information about their data collection platforms, the types of personal information gathered, and their practices around selling this data to third parties including insurance companies. Similar investigations may emerge in other states as consumer data practices in the automotive industry face increased regulatory attention.