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Ford launched a Privacy Promise website explaining what connected vehicle data it may collect, how it uses that data and how drivers can opt out. Ford says opting out can create a “quasi-’80s mode,” but connected features such as live traffic and some app functions may no longer work.
Ford has launched a Privacy Promise website that explains what connected vehicle data the automaker may collect and how drivers can switch off data sharing. The company says opting out can give owners a “quasi-’80s mode” experience, but disabling connectivity also removes features that depend on vehicle data, including live traffic information.
The website describes categories of information that may be collected, depending on the vehicle, including location data, driving characteristics, diagnostic information and other data transmitted through the vehicle or Ford’s smartphone app. It also sets out how Ford says it uses the information and how owners can opt out of sharing connected data.
Ford Chief Privacy Officer Kristin Jones described the goal as allowing customers who do not want to share connected data with Ford to opt out and use a less-connected vehicle. The available controls and the data affected may vary by model and feature; the source report does not provide a model-by-model breakdown.
There is a functional cost to opting out. Ford’s connected navigation, internet connectivity and location features in its app may be disabled, and a car that does not share information cannot draw on that data to deliver services such as live traffic updates. The report does not say that all driving or vehicle functions are disabled when data sharing is switched off.
Privacy Comes With Feature Trade-Offs
The announcement gives Ford owners a clearer route to understand and limit the information their vehicles share, an issue that has become more visible as cars collect data about where they travel, how they are driven and how their systems perform. The choice matters to drivers who want fewer connected services or more control over the information sent to the automaker.
It is not a simple privacy switch without consequences: reducing data sharing can also reduce the usefulness of connected navigation and app features. The choice may also affect Ford’s ability to use connected data to tailor features. The source report notes that Ford has discussed digital subscriptions as a revenue source, but it does not establish how opting out would affect any particular subscription or customer bill.
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A Response Amid Data Scrutiny
Modern vehicles can generate information about location, driving behavior and vehicle health. Ford’s new site arrives as scrutiny of automakers’ handling of that information continues. The source report cites General Motors’ recent $220 million settlement over allegations that it shared driver data with brokers through its Smart Driver program from 2016 to 2024. Those allegations concerned GM; they are not evidence that Ford engaged in the same conduct.
Ford’s stated approach, as described in the report, is to explain its data practices and let drivers opt out. Jones framed transparency and customer trust as the reason for the website. The material provided does not detail the full legal terms of Ford’s data practices or independently verify every statement on the company’s site.
“Our ultimate goal is that, for someone who does not want to share any connected data with Ford at all, they can opt out and essentially create a quasi-’80s mode car.”
— Kristin Jones, Ford chief privacy officer, speaking to Automotive News
Model-Level Opt-Out Details Remain Open
The source report does not specify which data categories are collected by each Ford model, whether every connected service can be switched off independently, or how the opt-out process differs across vehicles. It also does not say whether opting out affects features beyond the connected navigation, internet and app location functions it identifies.
Ford’s website explains the company’s stated practices, but the material provided does not independently establish how those practices operate in every case. The effects on digital subscriptions, vehicle customization and future services are also not specified.
Owners Can Review Ford’s Controls
Ford owners can use the Privacy Promise website to review the company’s descriptions of data collection and available opt-out controls. Before turning services off, drivers will need to check which features depend on connectivity in their particular vehicle and app.
Further clarity would come from Ford publishing model- and service-specific details, including exactly what stops working after an opt-out and whether settings can be changed individually. The source report gives no schedule for additional disclosures or changes to the website.
Key Questions
What did Ford announce?
Ford launched a Privacy Promise website explaining connected vehicle data it may collect, how it says it uses that data and how owners can opt out of sharing.
What does Ford mean by a “quasi-’80s mode”?
Ford privacy chief Kristin Jones used the phrase to describe a vehicle experience with connected data sharing turned off. It does not mean every modern function disappears; the source report identifies certain connected services that may be lost.
What features might stop working if a driver opts out?
The report says drivers may lose connected navigation, internet connectivity and location features in Ford’s app. Services that rely on shared information, such as live traffic, may also be unavailable.
What data may Ford collect?
Depending on the model, Ford’s site describes possible collection of location data, driving characteristics, diagnostic information and other data from the vehicle and Ford’s smartphone app.
Does opting out affect Ford subscriptions?
The report does not specify whether an opt-out changes access to any particular subscription or its cost. It notes that Ford has discussed digital subscriptions as a source of revenue, but gives no direct link between those plans and the privacy controls.
Source: insideevs.com
