Tamika Clay, a resident of Henry County, experienced a startling discovery that thrust her into the center of a heated privacy debate. Her ordeal began when she noticed an unexpected 80% increase in her car insurance premiums. Puzzled and concerned, she decided to delve into the possible reasons behind this surge. The investigation led her to request her Lexus Nexus consumer file, a decision that would unveil more than she bargained for.
Upon receiving the report, Tamika was shocked to find it contained hundreds of pages detailing data collected from the onboard computer of her Chevy Camaro, which was connected to the OnStar system. The data included detailed logs of her driving behaviors, such as acceleration events, high-speed events, and hard braking incidents. It was revealed that General Motors (GM) had shared 603 of these entries with data brokers, a practice she was previously unaware of.
Feeling violated and concerned about her privacy, Tamika learned this data sharing was affecting her insurance rates, as insurers viewed her as a high-risk driver based on the telemetry data provided by GM. Her situation took a turn for the worse when she attempted to shop for better insurance rates but found herself denied due to the data in her Lexus Nexus report.
The situation prompted a proposed class action lawsuit, highlighting the broader implications of such privacy invasions. Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, pointed out that current technology regarding data privacy in vehicles is outpacing the law. There are no federal laws requiring that automakers have privacy protections for their owners or cybersecurity protections on their vehicles.
In response to the lawsuit and growing public scrutiny, GM announced it would sever ties with two data brokers, including Lexus Nexus and Verisk, emphasizing that customer trust was a priority and acknowledging the need to evaluate their privacy processes and policies.
Tamika’s story not only highlights personal privacy concerns but also sparks a crucial conversation about the responsibilities of automakers and insurance companies in the age of connected cars. Consumers are encouraged to request their Lexus Nexus consumer disclosure reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to understand what data is being collected and shared, and to dispute any inaccuracies they find. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between technological advancement and the imperative for robust privacy protections.
