Ford may collect sensitive categories of personal data including your precise GPS location, biometric identifiers, and financial account information through vehicle systems, apps, and dealer interactions.
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
Sensitive personal information including precise geolocation and biometrics carries heightened privacy risks and is subject to special protections under California law; consumers have the right to limit how Ford uses this data category.
Interpretive note: The scope of biometric data collection is not fully specified in the available document text; the extent to which Ford currently collects biometric identifiers versus merely reserving the right to do so is not entirely clear from the policy language.
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 →Ford's collection of precise geolocation and biometric information represents a sensitive data category that, under California law, gives consumers the right to direct Ford to limit its use to necessary service delivery purposes rather than broader profiling or advertising uses.
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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.
You can contact us in order to (1) update or correct your personally identifiable information, (2) change your preferences with respect to communications and other information you receive from us, or (3) delete the personally identifiable information maintained about you...
Access information about you consistent with legal requirements. In addition, you may have the right in some cases to receive or have your electronic information transferred to another party.
"We may collect sensitive personal information, including precise geolocation data, biometric information, financial account information, and other categories defined as sensitive under applicable law. We may collect this information through your vehicle, our websites, mobile applications, and through our dealers and service providers.Excerpt from Ford's Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: CPRA Section 1798.121 grants California consumers the right to direct businesses to limit the use of sensitive personal information to purposes necessary to perform the services requested.
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Sensitive personal information including precise geolocation and biometrics carries heightened privacy risks and is subject to special protections under California law; consumers have the right to limit how Ford uses this data category.
Ford's collection of precise geolocation and biometric information represents a sensitive data category that, under California law, gives consumers the right to direct Ford to limit its use to necessary service delivery purposes rather than broader profiling or advertising uses.
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