TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DRIVER DATA

As insurance companies increasingly adopt technology to collect and analyze driver data, it's more important now than ever to stay informed about how your personal information is being used. From tracking your location to monitoring your driving habits, insurers often gather data through third-party apps, connected vehicles, and other sources. While these practices can lead to personalized rates and services, they may also raise serious privacy concerns.

Consumers are speaking up about these practices in a recent class-action lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois alleging that Allstate is collecting and using driving data from millions of Americans without their consent. The lawsuit claims that Allstate developed software integrated into various mobile applications to secretly gather driving behavior data without users' consent. This data was allegedly utilized to adjust insurance premiums, deny coverage, and was sold to other insurers for profit.

The class-action lawsuit specifically alleges that consumers were unaware of the data collection and did not provide consent. The plaintiffs claim a significant invasion of privacy, as the collected data included geolocation, accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscopic information, detailing specifics such as altitude, speed, and GPS coordinates. 

Regardless of the truth of these allegations, it is important to stay cautious and follow some practical tips and tricks:

1.    Delete or Don’t Download the Third-Party App – Jen Caltrider, the program director at the Mozilla Foundations’ “Privacy Not Included,” claims that “If you buy a new car and the dealer tries to pressure you to download the app or sign up for the connected services, don't do that.”[1]

It is important for drivers to be wary of how their data is being used. Remember, your data is valuable and should be treated like any other asset you possess. 

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