Ford has launched a new connected-vehicle privacy program that promises not to sell information about how customers drive to data brokers, companies that collect and resell personal information. The automaker also introduced a website explaining its data practices and showing owners how to change privacy settings in their vehicles or through the Ford smartphone app.
Ford announced the initiative, called the Privacy Promise, on Nov. 2, 2026. The program covers data generated by connected vehicles and related applications. Ford said its approach is built around three principles: incorporating privacy protections throughout the data life cycle, explaining data practices in plain language and giving customers choices about what they share.
“We also never sell data about how you drive your vehicle to data brokers.” — Ford
The commitment does not mean that owners can stop every form of data collection while continuing to use every connected feature. Ford said its settings allow customers to limit sharing, but that some features and services depend on access to vehicle data. The no-sale promise specifically addresses driving data; it does not describe a blanket ban on every possible use or transfer of information collected through Ford products.
What Ford says the program covers
| Area | Ford’s stated position |
|---|---|
| Driving data | Ford says it will not sell information about how customers drive to data brokers. |
| Privacy controls | Owners can adjust vehicle data and privacy settings in the vehicle or through the Ford app. |
| Data protection | Ford says it may use anonymization or aggregation to reduce links to individuals. |
| Vehicle uses | Ford says data supports work involving safety and quality, subject to available privacy choices. |
Anonymization means removing or altering identifying details, while aggregation combines information from multiple people. Ford said those techniques can provide additional protection. The company also said it designs products with privacy in mind from the point of collection through use, storage and disposal.
Ford’s announcement comes as regulators examine how automakers handle detailed information about drivers. The Federal Trade Commission acted against General Motors in January 2025 over driver-data practices, according to the company’s announcement. The scrutiny has focused on the sensitivity of connected-vehicle records, which can reveal patterns about how, when and where people drive.
Ford said it surveyed just over 1,000 U.S. consumers, including people who own vehicles from other manufacturers, while developing the program. Respondents generally considered privacy important but also saw value in sharing data. The survey found recurring support for controls that allow consumers to make more specific choices and change them when needed.
- Ford’s promise applies specifically to selling driving data to data brokers.
- Owners can adjust sharing settings through the vehicle or Ford app.
- Some connected features and services may depend on the data a customer permits Ford to use.
The survey also found that respondents viewed automakers as more trusted data custodians than many other large organizations. Ford owners expressed greater comfort than other respondents with connected products, including smart-home devices. The automaker is using the program to describe its data practices as connected vehicles generate more information about consumers’ behavior.
