Allstate sued by the state of Texas for driver privacy concerns for using Gas Buddy and others to track driving habits

aja8888

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Texas has sued insurance provider Allstate, alleging that the firm and its data broker subsidiary used data from apps like GasBuddy, Routely, and Life360 to quietly track drivers and adjust or cancel their policies.

Allstate and Arity, a "mobility data and analytics" firm founded by Allstate in 2016, collected "trillions of miles worth of location data" from more than 45 million people, then used that data to adjust rates, according to Texas' lawsuit. This violates Texas' Data Privacy and Security Act, which requires "clear notice and informed consent" on how collected data can be used. A statement from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the suit is the first-ever state action targeting comprehensive data privacy violations.

“Our investigation revealed that Allstate and Arity paid mobile apps millions of dollars to install Allstate’s tracking software,” Paxton said in a statement. “The personal data of millions of Americans was sold to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent in violation of the law. Texans deserve better, and we will hold all these companies accountable.”

How nice!

 
I use that app but not sure how they could collect much data. I am surprised TX did not join with several other states for this.
 
I use that app but not sure how they could collect much data. I am surprised TX did not join with several other states for this.
Per the article, they allegedly violated Texas law so not sure how other states could join in this action. But then again, I'm not a lawyer.
 
@jazz4cash if you have the app and gave it location permission, it knows where you were and when. That's enough to know you were "making good time" on your road trip (aka exceeding the speed limit).

I always used the GasBuddy web site, if I bothered to check gas prices at all, and I looked up the town name and didn't have a login anyway.
 
Who would have thought that smart phones would be used against us years ago?

Worse than this, the My Chevrolet app the dealers insist (nicely) you put on your phone to be able to connect with the car for a variety of uses, comes with an app to track you that they (GM), sell your data to Nexis, who in turn, sells your driving data to the insurance companies.
 
Not related to this, but I’ve been going through my smartphone apps and uninstalling them. They can track too much data, even on an iPhone, where you have good controls on what the apps can/can’t access.

Unfortunately, there will be some apps that I can’t avoid, such as Whatsapp.
 
I don't have many apps on my phone and my location services are turned off unless they're needed for a specific app (e.g. getting an uber).
 
No surprise. IMO the insurance companies will in the very near future require this info. Not too much of a problem to get congress on board.
Big question is will it lower our rates? Or will rates not increase as fast as they would have without it?
 
Not related to this, but I’ve been going through my smartphone apps and uninstalling them. They can track too much data, even on an iPhone, where you have good controls on what the apps can/can’t access.

Unfortunately, there will be some apps that I can’t avoid, such as Whatsapp.
I only have apps I really need on my phone, unlike some folks who download almost every app they see. And I always close them when not in use, though I gather that may not make any difference? If they’re there, they can track you open or not?
 
I only have apps I really need on my phone, unlike some folks who download almost every app they see. And I always close them when not in use, though I gather that may not make any difference? If they’re there, they can track you open or not?

I'm pretty conservative about what apps I download. If I'm not using them regularly I delete them. The weasel wording in their privacy statements always allows them to "share" your info with "trusted partners" so they leave the door wide open and yes, the apps gather info from other apps.

I do leave Location sharing on because I use navigation so often but maybe I should close it down.
 
I only have apps I really need on my phone, unlike some folks who download almost every app they see. And I always close them when not in use, though I gather that may not make any difference? If they’re there, they can track you open or not?
You can deny any app location services, and for those you do allow location services you can set up to only use while running so they don’t have background access.

I have background refresh turned off on all my apps except for home security.
 
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With my GM car, I am not a paid subscriber to OnStar as I don't care to have them monitoring me. But they appear to be doing it anyway as the GM app on my phone (I have location services shut off for everything) appears to know where I am. These folks are sneaky. I guess the next step is to remove the app, which I kind of like as I can monitor tire pressures, remote start the car, etc.
 
I use Progressive and have Snapshot turned on so they definitely know where I've been, been using it for years.
 
iOS gives good controls on what data apps can access. When you download an app, developers also need to state what data they collect as part of their app. You can find this all under ‘Privacy and Security’ settings on iOS. I have no idea on Android.

But it’s easy to not pay attention to these settings.
 
Per the article, they allegedly violated Texas law so not sure how other states could join in this action. But then again, I'm not a lawyer.
I’d be surprised if other states don’t have similar laws.
 
I'm pretty conservative about what apps I download. If I'm not using them regularly I delete them.
I don't even have a smart phone, but I've always wondered about deleting apps. Does it really get rid of it? I'd be shocked if apps didn't leave tendrils after being deleted, considering that these companies' usual m.o. is "do it until we get caught."
 
Apple implemented App Tracking Transparency (ATT) 4 years ago to give users the ability to prevent this. All apps on Apple mobile devices require explicit permission from the user to allow apps to track.
 
No surprise. IMO the insurance companies will in the very near future require this info. Not too much of a problem to get congress on board.
Big question is will it lower our rates? Or will rates not increase as fast as they would have without it?
Gummints like it too. Good to know what your subjects, er, I mean, citizens are up to. :cool:
 
I use Progressive and have Snapshot turned on so they definitely know where I've been, been using it for years.
What is turned on?

I got something to plug into the car for about 6 months and then mailed it back... that was years ago and I am still getting a good discount..
 

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