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The policy states that Ford's digital services are not directed to children under 13, that Ford does not knowingly collect personal information from this group, and that Ford will delete such information if discovered.
This analysis describes what Ford's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes COPPA compliance posture for Ford's digital properties. The standard 'not directed to children' and 'do not knowingly collect' formulation is common in US privacy policies and reflects minimum COPPA compliance requirements enforced by the FTC.
Ford's updated privacy policy now explicitly states it governs data collection, use, sharing, and protection across all Ford websites, apps, and services, rather than limiting its scope to ford.com and owner.ford.com. This expanded framing indicates the policy applies more broadly to Ford's digital properties and potentially to data collected through connected vehicles and mobile applications. The policy continues to require vehicle owners to inform other drivers and passengers about privacy safeguards and to perform a Master/User Reset before selling or transferring a vehicle.
View change record →The updated privacy policy effective January 16, 2026 modifies how Ford will notify you if it makes material changes to this policy. Previously, the language stated Ford would provide notice to enable you to exercise rights regarding your personal information. The revised language now states notice will be provided 'as may be required by law,' meaning Ford's obligation to notify you depends on applicable legal requirements rather than a contractual commitment to advance notice. Additionally, the policy clarifies connected vehicle data sharing icons and descriptions to better explain when Vehicle Data, Vehicle Location, and Driving Data are being transmitted from your vehicle.
View change record →The updated privacy policy establishes a more structured disclosure framework with explicit California privacy rights information and cookie consent management. The revised terms now route California residents to supplemental privacy notices that explain collection practices and provide mechanisms to exercise privacy rights. The removal of specific language describing customer review collection processes and dealership moderation standards means these details are now consolidated into the main privacy notice rather than appearing in review-specific sections. You can access California-specific privacy rights and consent options through the links provided in the updated privacy notice.
View change record →The language was streamlined by removing 'websites and' and changing 'take steps to delete' to 'delete,' while adding explicit reference to 'without parental consent' as a condition for deletion.
View full change record →This provision states that Ford's websites, apps, and services are not intended for children under 13, and that Ford will delete personal information from children under 13 if discovered. Parents who believe their child's data has been collected can contact Ford to request deletion.
How other platforms handle this
You may make a verifiable consumer request related to your personal information twice per 12-month period.
where the EU GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we will respond within one calendar month of receiving a verifiable request, and where your request is complex...we may extend that period by up to a further two months.
If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.
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"Our websites, apps, and services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.Excerpt from Ford's Privacy Policy
1. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires operators of websites and online services directed to children under 13 to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information. Enforcement authority rests with the FTC. The policy's 'not directed to' formulation is the standard COPPA compliance approach for general-audience platforms. 2. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low for standard digital properties. If any Ford digital service, including connected vehicle features, may be accessed or operated by minors under 13, the adequacy of age-screening and parental consent mechanisms warrants review. 3. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California's Age-Appropriate Design Code (AADC), if enacted and effective, may impose additional obligations regarding services that could be accessed by minors under 18, beyond the COPPA threshold of 13. UK and EU frameworks impose analogous children's data protections that may apply to Ford's non-US digital operations. 4. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Third-party analytics and advertising vendors operating on Ford's digital properties should be contractually prohibited from collecting data from users identified as under 13, consistent with COPPA safe harbor requirements. 5. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should verify that age-gating or screening mechanisms are in place for Ford digital services where minors may plausibly access connected vehicle features. Parental contact and deletion request procedures should be tested for functionality.
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This provision establishes COPPA compliance posture for Ford's digital properties. The standard 'not directed to children' and 'do not knowingly collect' formulation is common in US privacy policies and reflects minimum COPPA compliance requirements enforced by the FTC.
This provision states that Ford's websites, apps, and services are not intended for children under 13, and that Ford will delete personal information from children under 13 if discovered. Parents who believe their child's data has been collected can contact Ford to request deletion.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 295 platforms. See the full comparison.
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