Arity's alleged unauthorized driver data collection through mobile apps: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Screenshot of arity.com as of January 15, 2025.png|alt=screenshot of arity.com as of January 15, 2025|thumb|screenshot of arity.com demonstrating their claim of having 40 million active mobile connections]] | [[File:Screenshot of arity.com as of January 15, 2025.png|alt=screenshot of arity.com as of January 15, 2025|thumb|screenshot of arity.com demonstrating their claim of having 40 million active mobile connections]] | ||
According to their website, Arity maintains over 40 million active mobile connections, capturing data at intervals of 15 seconds or less.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20241217184520/https://arity.com/solutions/real-time-insights/</ref> The Texas Attorney General's office has initiated legal proceedings against Allstate Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Arity, asserting that this data collection occurred without proper driver consent.<ref>https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Allstate%20and%20Arity%20Petition%20Filed.pdf</ref> | According to their website, Arity maintains over 40 million active mobile connections, capturing data at intervals of 15 seconds or less.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20241217184520/https://arity.com/solutions/real-time-insights/</ref> The Texas Attorney General's office has initiated legal proceedings against Allstate Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Arity, asserting that this data collection occurred without proper driver consent.<ref>https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Allstate%20and%20Arity%20Petition%20Filed.pdf. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250114165226/https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Allstate%20and%20Arity%20Petition%20Filed.pdf Archived] from the original on 14 January, 2025. Retrieved 17 January, 2025.</ref> | ||
The State of Texas, under the direction of Attorney General Ken Paxton, has filed a lawsuit naming Allstate, Arity, and their subsidiaries as defendants, alleging multiple violations of data privacy regulations. | The State of Texas, under the direction of Attorney General Ken Paxton, has filed a lawsuit naming Allstate, Arity, and their subsidiaries as defendants, alleging multiple violations of data privacy regulations. | ||
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=== Laws broken === | === Laws broken === | ||
The legal action alleges violations of multiple state regulations, including the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act<ref>https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00004F.htm</ref>, the Data Broker Law<ref>https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.509.htm</ref>, and the Texas Insurance Code<ref>https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.541.htm</ref>. The scope of the alleged data collection, implemented through mobile app software integration, extends beyond Texas residents to affect millions of Americans nationwide. | The legal action alleges violations of multiple state regulations, including the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act<ref>https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00004F.htm. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241230075523/https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB00004F.htm Archived] from the original on 30 December, 2024. Retrieved 17 January, 2025.</ref>, the Data Broker Law<ref>https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.509.htm. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241223161307/https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.509.htm Archived] from the original on 23 December, 2024. Retrieved 17 January, 2025.</ref>, and the Texas Insurance Code<ref>https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.541.htm. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250111144543/https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.541.htm Archived] from the original on 11 January, 2025. Retrieved 17 January, 2025.</ref>. The scope of the alleged data collection, implemented through mobile app software integration, extends beyond Texas residents to affect millions of Americans nationwide. | ||
=== Claims made === | === Claims made === | ||
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====== Evidence of data collection vs. evidence of ''improper'' data collection ====== | ====== Evidence of data collection vs. evidence of ''improper'' data collection ====== | ||
The lawsuit's citations primarily reference Arity's public statements, which alone do not establish wrongdoing. For comparison, Geico's smartphone application implements driver-monitoring data collection with explicit user consent, offering potential insurance rate reductions.<ref>https://www.geico.com/driveeasy/</ref> While such data collection may raise privacy concerns, the transparency of choice differentiates it from alleged improper practices. The mere existence of driving data collection does not inherently indicate privacy violations. | The lawsuit's citations primarily reference Arity's public statements, which alone do not establish wrongdoing. For comparison, Geico's smartphone application implements driver-monitoring data collection with explicit user consent, offering potential insurance rate reductions.<ref>https://www.geico.com/driveeasy/. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241211081848/https://www.geico.com/driveeasy/ Archived] from the original on 11 December, 2024. Retrieved 18 January, 2025.</ref> While such data collection may raise privacy concerns, the transparency of choice differentiates it from alleged improper practices. The mere existence of driving data collection does not inherently indicate privacy violations. | ||
The lawsuit's core allegations focus on the undisclosed collection and monetization of insured drivers' behavioral data without proper consent, though concrete evidence supporting these claims remains pending. | The lawsuit's core allegations focus on the undisclosed collection and monetization of insured drivers' behavioral data without proper consent, though concrete evidence supporting these claims remains pending. | ||
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# Public confirmation of the GasBuddy partnership through Arity's press releases<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20241213031839/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gasbuddy-partners-with-arity-to-bring-personalized-experiences-to-drivers-looking-to-save-even-more-money-on-fuel-301321800.html</ref> | # Public confirmation of the GasBuddy partnership through Arity's press releases<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20241213031839/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gasbuddy-partners-with-arity-to-bring-personalized-experiences-to-drivers-looking-to-save-even-more-money-on-fuel-301321800.html</ref> | ||
# Detailed case study documentation of Life360's implementation of Arity's technology<ref>https://arity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/arity_case-study_moapps_Life360.pdf</ref><ref>[[:File:Arity case-study moapps Life360.pdf]]</ref> | # Detailed case study documentation of Life360's implementation of Arity's technology<ref>https://arity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/arity_case-study_moapps_Life360.pdf. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240804011729/https://arity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/arity_case-study_moapps_Life360.pdf Archived] from the original on 4 August, 2024. Retrieved 18 January, 2025.</ref><ref>[[:File:Arity case-study moapps Life360.pdf]]</ref> | ||
===== Arity's claims about usage of data ===== | ===== Arity's claims about usage of data ===== | ||
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===== Arity purchased information from automakers to complement their own data ===== | ===== Arity purchased information from automakers to complement their own data ===== | ||
[[File:Facebook screenshot of insurance app.png|alt=Facebook screenshot of insurance app|thumb|Facebook screenshot of insurance app]] | [[File:Facebook screenshot of insurance app.png|alt=Facebook screenshot of insurance app|thumb|Facebook screenshot of insurance app]] | ||
The smartphone-based data collection methodology presents inherent accuracy limitations. For example, recreational activities like roller coaster rides might erroneously register as dangerous driving behavior.<ref>https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/10/08/insurance-cuts-driving-score-man-riding-the-beast-kings-island/75554987007/</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=8578211025555918&set=gm.8485090164900182&idorvanity=121958981213384</ref> | The smartphone-based data collection methodology presents inherent accuracy limitations. For example, recreational activities like roller coaster rides might erroneously register as dangerous driving behavior.<ref>https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/10/08/insurance-cuts-driving-score-man-riding-the-beast-kings-island/75554987007/. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250114231210/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/10/08/insurance-cuts-driving-score-man-riding-the-beast-kings-island/75554987007/ Archived] from the original on 14 January, 2025. Retrieved 18 January, 2025.</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=8578211025555918&set=gm.8485090164900182&idorvanity=121958981213384</ref> | ||
However, the lawsuit's assertion regarding automotive manufacturer data sales remains unsubstantiated. | However, the lawsuit's assertion regarding automotive manufacturer data sales remains unsubstantiated. | ||