Provision record
General Motors · GM Privacy Statement · View original document ↗

Exterior Vehicle Camera and Sensor Data Collection

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Document Record

What it is

The policy authorizes collection of exterior vehicle camera and sensor images and video with consent or upon detection of a safety event, and separately authorizes collection of road information from exterior cameras at all times, with the acknowledgment that camera images may capture third parties in the surrounding environment.

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This analysis describes what General Motors'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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes two distinct collection triggers, consent-based and safety-event-based, for exterior camera media, and a continuous collection basis for road data derived from exterior cameras, with the acknowledged implication that third parties present in the vehicle's environment may be incidentally captured.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 18, 2026

The updated statement narrowed its definition of personal information from 'identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked to you' to 'describes, relates to, or could reasonably be linked to you.' This language change affects which information GM must treat as personal information under the policy. The revised de-identification section reorganizes prior language, now stating GM 'may use technical measures to remove information that could reasonably identify you or your vehicle' and requires 'the same safeguards from any third parties we share it with.' The policy clarifies that its protections apply to personal information dealers disclose to GM, but do not cover dealers' independent data practices. Cruise is no longer listed as a GM affiliate exempt from this privacy statement, though the scope of privacy protections for Cruise users depends on whether Cruise now operates under this statement or maintains separate privacy terms.

View change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The agreement authorizes collection of exterior camera images and video either with user consent or when a safety event is detected, and states that road information including signs and lane markings is collected from exterior cameras regardless of consent status; images may incidentally capture individuals in the surrounding environment.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Update your exterior camera and sensor data consent in the Data and Privacy section of your GM account at https://experience.gm.com/myaccount/privacy. You can also access Privacy Settings in your vehicle's infotainment system to pause this data collection.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Exterior Vehicle Camera and Sensor Data Collection and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We may collect images and video from your vehicle's external cameras and sensors (such as radar) only with your consent or when your vehicle detects a safety event (such as a collision or automatic emergency braking system engagement). You can change your consent anytime online in the Data and Privacy section of your GM account by logging in at OnStar.com or your vehicle's brand website. Exterior camera images and video may capture your surrounding environment and individuals incidentally nearby. We may collect road information from your vehicle's exterior cameras, such as signs and lane markings, even when images and video are not collected.

Excerpt from General Motors's GM Privacy Statement

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Collection of exterior camera images capturing third parties engages state biometric privacy laws, including Illinois BIPA if facial geometry data is derived from images, and Texas CUBI.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
GM Privacy Statement
Entity
General Motors
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-016052
Document ID
CA-D-00615
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
1aadaf983854ba12c04ee6971f292dd73de91df0db3ac8d30fd0ad5fcc9309da
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 09:29 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: General Motors
Document: GM Privacy Statement
Record ID: CA-P-016052
Captured: 2026-07-09 09:29:04 UTC
SHA-256: 1aadaf983854ba12…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/general-motors/gm-privacy-statement/provision/CA-P-016052/exterior-vehicle-camera-and-sensor-data-collection/
Accessed: Sept. 26, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does General Motors's Exterior Vehicle Camera and Sensor Data Collection clause do?

This provision establishes two distinct collection triggers, consent-based and safety-event-based, for exterior camera media, and a continuous collection basis for road data derived from exterior cameras, with the acknowledged implication that third parties present in the vehicle's environment may be incidentally captured.

How does this clause affect you?

The agreement authorizes collection of exterior camera images and video either with user consent or when a safety event is detected, and states that road information including signs and lane markings is collected from exterior cameras regardless of consent status; images may incidentally capture individuals in the surrounding environment.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with General Motors?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by General Motors.