After a brouhaha about privacy concerns relating to the technology, GM is consigning its OnStar Smart Driver to the scrapheap, removing it from its entire lineup of vehicles, including all of its core and peripheral brands, where it was previously present.
Axing the Smart Driver program will result in all current subscribers to the feature being unenrolled, and also in the software being uninstalled from all GM vehicles, per reporting by Forbes.
GM initially presented the Smart Driver feature as a way for drivers to be urged by their vehicle to drive more safely and to get tips on keeping the vehicle in better condition by avoiding overuse or overstrain. The technology monitored the actions of the vehicle owner, observing driving details from the frequency of night drives to slamming on the brakes, and compiled a report for the driver to review their own driving each month.
However, a furor erupted when GM vehicle owners noticed their insurance premiums were hiked by their insurers after they enrolled in Smart Driver. It soon emerged that The General was sharing detailed, personally identifiable driving data with information brokers such as LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk, which then sold the info to insurance companies.
Consent to the practice was hazy at best, with the possibility of having one’s data shared alleged to be buried in fine print. Some drivers reported that the OnStar Smart Driver feature reported their information even after they declined to be enrolled in it, whether because they felt it was unnecessary or because they had privacy concerns. A reporter said the family Chevy Bolt EV tracked their movements in great detail without their knowledge or consent.
GM was sued for allegedly sharing Smart Driver data without customer consent, a charge The General has denied. However, it terminated its business dealings with the data brokers immediately after the lawsuit was filed, followed by its current shutdown of the entire Smart Driver feature.
“Enhanced privacy controls” for the feature are claimed by General Motors to be in the works, but the automaker is offering no additional details or development timeframe information at this time.
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View Comments
I'm surprised to see them react this quick.
They just should have kept the data private. Dummies.
This is a much more basic issue than "privacy." Customers should have total control over when and with whom they share their personal data. It's your data. All of this should be opt-in, not opt-out.
Smart is code for spying. Everything labeled Smart is spying on you! Just in case you missed it.
I will never enroll or connect to anything GM again. The trust is broken.
I don’t need GM to help me drive.
Anyone who pays extra for a service that's already on their telephone is a fool. Onstar tried to sell me their plans after mine expired. I told them I didn't use the service in 15 years with my last car. What makes you think that I need it in this one? Silence...
These money making machines such as the insurance companies should never have our trust ! They should be scrutinized by the feds at max because that is exactly what they deserve ! Helloooo anyone home ?? Enough is enough stop stealing from people !
GM should reimburse every owner that had or has ONSTAR what the cost would be for the system they had.
I just purchased a GMC CANYON. Salesman said he removed "Safe driver" feature. Later I found it still ACTIVE. I shut it down.
I later found out LEXISNEXIS had done 2 SOFT CREDIT CHECKS on a credit check company.■■■
WHY was LEXISNEXIS doing a soft credit check on me????
Time to do some checking!!!!!
Bring back the Calling Feature. I do not have a cell phone(never will) and it was very useful in many situations...