Updated FordPass Platform Privacy and Terms (06/2024)

[MrLoganRoss]

A few items noted from my first pass read:


[Apparent Default Configuration?] -Your vehicle will share location and driving data

Your ability to stop sharing - you “may” have options to stop sharing, including by calling customer service [I hope this is not a pre-cursor to taking away that right to not share]

Vehicle location includes: location, speed, direction, road surface conditions and geometry, traffic signs, and “your surroundings”
[are cameras being used?]

Driving data includes: speed, use of accelerator and brake, steering, and driver assist tech [does this include how close you are to cars around you?]

Through your cell phone: Ford collects your speed, precise location, direction, and any other information derivable from GPS is collected

Ford uses wifi, cell towers, and other ways to collect information [Does this mean because the car has its own cell radio, there is no way to maintain privacy even if you you turn off location in your phone?]

Ford may use cookies and beacons (code embedded in web pages that send info about your viewing content)

Ford disclosed its use of Amplitude and Dynatrace analytics

Ford can use your information to “protect safety, privacy, security, AND TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS”

Ford may connect information it collects about you with other information, including across “websites”

Ford can combine information it collects with other information it acquires about you.

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[MrLoganRoss]

One big question is whether Ford is receiving video and images, which raises
Privacy questions beyond how you use the car.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

After reading the policy, I still have questions, particularly related to data collection using the cars built in communication system/radio.

I am re-balancing my choice of privacy by turning off Location for the FordPass app in my phone settings, and also keeping “Share Driving Data” off in the car. I don’t think I can turn off Vehicle Location in car as I lose needed functions, and unfortunately it feels like a bit of a backdoor to Driving Data.

Because I have turned off Share Driving Data, I UNNECESSARILY lose access to features that are wholly unrelated to Driving Data. Specifically, I lose access to Energy features (as shown in the pic). I compensate as best as I can by using the app that came with my home charger and the apps that are tied to the public charging networks.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

I drove around with Driving Data turned off and it was really no big deal. I may try turning off location data, but I suspect it will create too many problems. In either case, turning off location for FordPass in iOS settings, and turning off Driving Data in the car seems like a manageable approach for the time being.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

I do think that the Energy Features Disabled warning above is designed to make people think that they will lose something big, and therefore they should turn those back on. But the truth is what you lose is the FordPass app access to those energy features.

 

[User100723]

Appreciate the detailed investigation here! Great to see another privacy advocate on here.

 

[vortix]

Location service disabled - thanks.

 

[jpinFLX]

We really need a version of GDPR in the U.S. .

 

[milepost1]

A few items noted from my first pass read:


[Apparent Default Configuration?] -Your vehicle will share location and driving data

Your ability to stop sharing - you “may” have options to stop sharing, including by calling customer service [I hope this is not a pre-cursor to taking away that right to not share]

Vehicle location includes: location, speed, direction, road surface conditions and geometry, traffic signs, and “your surroundings”
[are cameras being used?]

Driving data includes: speed, use of accelerator and brake, steering, and driver assist tech [does this include how close you are to cars around you?]

Through your cell phone: Ford collects your speed, precise location, direction, and any other information derivable from GPS is collected

Ford uses wifi, cell towers, and other ways to collect information [Does this mean because the car has its own cell radio, there is no way to maintain privacy even if you you turn off location in your phone?]

Ford may use cookies and beacons (code embedded in web pages that send info about your viewing content)

Ford disclosed its use of Amplitude and Dynatrace analytics

Ford can use your information to “protect safety, privacy, security, AND TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS”

Ford may connect information it collects about you with other information, including across “websites”

Ford can combine information it collects with other information it acquires about you.

Turn it all off and only use your smart phone. That will protect privacy.
I too worry about privacy but what the car collects vs obd reader from insurance co., google/apple maps, smart phone, red light/speed cameras, store cameras, street cameras, nanny cams, Amazon, other web sites, phone providers, phones themselves and on and on. We scream privacy but still want all the free fun features provided by all of the internet of things. I am afraid privacy is an illusion that will never return unless we have the internet destroyed. You agree to this disclaimer on almost everything on the internet, and once you leave your house you agree to being tracked by all the cameras now up for our safety.

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