GM accused of selling US drivers' data to insurers

General Motors has been sued in Texas, the United States, to collect and sell data about drivers without their consent to insurers and other companies, according to Reuters.

Data involving around 14 million drivers were used to compile "Driving Scores" assessing whether more than 1.8 million Texas drivers had "bad" habits such as speeding, braking too fast, steering too sharply into turns, not using seatbelts and driving late at night, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

He said insurers could then use the data when deciding whether to raise premiums, cancel policies or deny coverage.

The lawsuit arose from a probe announced in June into whether several automakers collected and sold mass amounts of data without drivers' knowledge, said Paxton.

Paxton said GM's practice was for dealers to subject unwitting consumers who had just completed the stressful buying and leasing process into believing that enrolling in its OnStar diagnostic products, which collected the data, was mandatory.

The technology was allegedly installed on most GM vehicles starting with the 2015 model year.

"Companies are using invasive technology to violate the rights of our citizens in unthinkable ways," Paxton said in a statement.

"Our investigation revealed that General Motors has engaged in egregious business practices that violated Texans' privacy and broke the law. We will hold them accountable."

GM said the company has been in discussions with the Attorney General's office and is reviewing the complaint. “We share the desire to protect consumers' privacy," said the carmaker.

Texas filed its lawsuit in a state court in Montgomery County, near Houston. It seeks the destruction of improperly collected data, compensation for drivers, civil fines and other remedies for violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.