LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is suing General Motors and its subsidiary OnStar for allegations that the company deceived Arkansans and sold data collected through OnStar to third parties, who then sold the data to insurance companies.
The 32-page complaint notes the driving data included the start time, end time, vehicle speed, late-night driving percentage, distance driven, acceleration and braking data.
The AG’s office estimates that GM unlawfully captured driving data on more than 100,000 Arkansans’ vehicles equipped with OnStar.
“This case is about General Motors and OnStar improperly collecting detailed driving data and selling that data to third parties,” Griffin said in a press release this week. “These third parties then sold the data to insurance companies, who used that data to deny consumers coverage or increase their rates. Despite advertising OnStar as offering the benefits of better driving, safety, and operability of its vehicles, GM and OnStar used the data to pad their profits at the expense of consumers. GM and OnStar deceived consumers about how they used the driving data.”
The complaint alleges violations under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit seeks monetary relief, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and expenses.
“We will hold GM accountable for deceiving Arkansans and increasing profits through deceptive practices,” Griffin added.