Ford: Difference between revisions - Consumer Rights Wiki

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==Consumer protection summary==

*'''Privacy'''

===User privacy===

:Ford’s data collection practices and privacy policies have raised significant concerns:

:*~~Collects sensitive~~ personal ~~information from multiple sources~~, including ~~data from the vehicle itself~~, ~~data from the connected mobile app~~, and data ~~obtained during~~ the ~~vehicle's purchase~~.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>

:*Extensive data collection: Ford collects a wide range of personal and vehicle data, including location, driving behavior (speed, braking), voice commands, media preferences, and even passenger information. This data is linked to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be tied to individual users.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>

:*Data collected includes purchase history, financial information, coarse and precise location data, contact information, identifiers (e.g., VIN, account ID), user-generated content (e.g., voice recordings from smart features), search and browsing history for advertising purposes, usage data, sensitive information (under "Inferences"), diagnostics, and more.<ref name=":0" />

:*Aggregates data from external sources as well, including users' social media posts.<ref name=":0" />

:*Privacy policy is designed to prevent quickly searching for important terms.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref>

:*Privacy policy is designed to prevent quickly searching for important terms.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref><ref name=":0" />

:*~~It is unclear how long~~ data ~~is retained~~.<ref ~~name~~=":0" />

:*Lack of transparency and control: Users are often unaware of the scope of data collection, and Ford’s policies allow sharing with affiliates, dealers, advertisers, and law enforcement. The company reserves the right to override location settings in certain circumstances (e.g., repossession, legal requests).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elvy |first=Stacy-Ann |title=Paying for Privacy and the Personal Data Economy |url=https://www.columbialawreview.org/content/paying-for-privacy-and-the-personal-data-economy/ |website=Columbia Law Review }}</ref>

:*According to CCPA Metrics from 2023, there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and 7 of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>

:*Security vulnerabilities: Past incidents, such as cybersecurity flaws in the FordPass app and exposed customer records, highlight risks of data breaches. Ford has been criticized for dismissing external reports of vulnerabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Ford |url=https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/ford/ |website=mozillafoundation.org }}</ref>

:*According to CCPA Metrics from 2023, there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and seven of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>

===User freedom===

:*Limited opt-out options: Ford’s default settings opt users into data collection, with no clear path to fully delete data. Passengers and secondary drivers must also be informed of data collection, placing the burden on the primary user.

:*Forced connectivity: Features like FordPass require data sharing for basic functionalities (e.g., remote start, tire pressure checks), limiting user choice.

===Business model===

:*Data monetization: Ford’s business model leverages user data for targeted advertising, joint marketing, and partnerships (e.g., Sirius XM). This aligns with broader industry trends where data is a revenue driver.

:*AI and surveillance: Investments in AI (e.g., Baidu’s SYNC system in China) enable deeper user profiling, raising ethical questions about surveillance and consent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marr |first=Bernard |date=July 2, 2021 |title=The Amazing Ways The Ford Motor Company Uses Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning |url=https://bernardmarr.com/the-amazing-ways-the-ford-motor-company-uses-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/ |website= }}</ref>

<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Acquisition of Freedom Ford Sales Limited by 1911265 Alberta Ltd. |url=https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/position-statements/acquisition-freedom-ford-sales-limited-1911265-alberta-ltd |website=Competition Bureau Canada }}</ref>

===Market control===

:*Dealership consolidation: Ford’s acquisitions of dealerships (e.g., Freedom Ford) have drawn scrutiny from competition regulators. While deemed non-antitrust, such consolidation can reduce local competition and consumer choice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marr |first=Bernard |date=July 2, 2021 |title=The Amazing Ways The Ford Motor Company Uses Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning |url=https://bernardmarr.com/the-amazing-ways-the-ford-motor-company-uses-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/ |website= }}</ref>

:*Dependence on connected services: By integrating AI and IoT (e.g., autonomous vehicles, CarStory analytics), Ford reinforces market dominance in connected car technology, potentially stifling smaller competitors.

*'''Anti-consumer practices~~'''~~

===Anti-consumer practices===

:*'''Patents regarding consumer data'''

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 ==Consumer protection summary<!-- Needs more of the summary filled in, check https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Consumer_Action_Taskforce:Sample/Company for details -->==
-*'''Privacy'''
+===User privacy===
+:Ford’s data collection practices and privacy policies have raised significant concerns:
-:*Collects sensitive personal information from multiple sources, including data from the vehicle itself, data from the connected mobile app, and data obtained during the vehicle's purchase.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>
+:*Extensive data collection: Ford collects a wide range of personal and vehicle data, including location, driving behavior (speed, braking), voice commands, media preferences, and even passenger information. This data is linked to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be tied to individual users.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>
 :*Data collected includes purchase history, financial information, coarse and precise location data, contact information, identifiers (e.g., VIN, account ID), user-generated content (e.g., voice recordings from smart features), search and browsing history for advertising purposes, usage data, sensitive information (under "Inferences"), diagnostics, and more.<ref name=":0" />
 :*Aggregates data from external sources as well, including users' social media posts.<ref name=":0" />
-:*Privacy policy is designed to prevent quickly searching for important terms.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref>
+:*Privacy policy is designed to prevent quickly searching for important terms.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref><ref name=":0" />
-:*It is unclear how long data is retained.<ref name=":0" />
+:*Lack of transparency and control: Users are often unaware of the scope of data collection, and Ford’s policies allow sharing with affiliates, dealers, advertisers, and law enforcement. The company reserves the right to override location settings in certain circumstances (e.g., repossession, legal requests).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elvy |first=Stacy-Ann |title=Paying for Privacy and the Personal Data Economy |url=https://www.columbialawreview.org/content/paying-for-privacy-and-the-personal-data-economy/ |website=Columbia Law Review }}</ref>
-:*According to CCPA Metrics from 2023, there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and 7 of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>
+:*Security vulnerabilities: Past incidents, such as cybersecurity flaws in the FordPass app and exposed customer records, highlight risks of data breaches. Ford has been criticized for dismissing external reports of vulnerabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Ford |url=https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/ford/ |website=mozillafoundation.org }}</ref>
+:*According to CCPA Metrics from 2023, there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and seven of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>
+===User freedom===
+:*Limited opt-out options: Ford’s default settings opt users into data collection, with no clear path to fully delete data. Passengers and secondary drivers must also be informed of data collection, placing the burden on the primary user.
+:*Forced connectivity: Features like FordPass require data sharing for basic functionalities (e.g., remote start, tire pressure checks), limiting user choice.
+===Business model===
+:*Data monetization: Ford’s business model leverages user data for targeted advertising, joint marketing, and partnerships (e.g., Sirius XM). This aligns with broader industry trends where data is a revenue driver.
+:*AI and surveillance: Investments in AI (e.g., Baidu’s SYNC system in China) enable deeper user profiling, raising ethical questions about surveillance and consent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marr |first=Bernard |date=July 2, 2021 |title=The Amazing Ways The Ford Motor Company Uses Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning |url=https://bernardmarr.com/the-amazing-ways-the-ford-motor-company-uses-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/ |website= }}</ref>
+<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Acquisition of Freedom Ford Sales Limited by 1911265 Alberta Ltd. |url=https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/position-statements/acquisition-freedom-ford-sales-limited-1911265-alberta-ltd |website=Competition Bureau Canada }}</ref>
+===Market control===
+:*Dealership consolidation: Ford’s acquisitions of dealerships (e.g., Freedom Ford) have drawn scrutiny from competition regulators. While deemed non-antitrust, such consolidation can reduce local competition and consumer choice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marr |first=Bernard |date=July 2, 2021 |title=The Amazing Ways The Ford Motor Company Uses Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning |url=https://bernardmarr.com/the-amazing-ways-the-ford-motor-company-uses-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/ |website= }}</ref>
+:*Dependence on connected services: By integrating AI and IoT (e.g., autonomous vehicles, CarStory analytics), Ford reinforces market dominance in connected car technology, potentially stifling smaller competitors.
-*'''Anti-consumer practices'''
+===Anti-consumer practices===
 :*'''Patents regarding consumer data'''