Ford launches a ‘privacy promise’ and explains how and why it uses customer data

Ford said it's making an "explicit commitment" to its customers that "their vehicle data is safe" with the company. As Ford prepares to launch a new generation of connected cars, the automaker is making a public promise about how it will handle that information. The company unveiled on Monday what it calls a “privacy promise” — an “explicit commitment” to keep customers’ vehicle data safe and give them control over what they share. Ford also launched a website designed to educate customers about how, where, and why the automakers uses their data, and to show them how to change those settings. While those controls have existed for years now, Ford wants to communicate more clearly with its customers about them, especially ahead of the launch of new, more connected vehicles like the ones being built on its upcoming “universal electric vehicle” platform.

“I personally think that it’s super important for us to be making it very clear to our customers what our data practices are, and not only that, but making a commitment to them about it,” Ford’s chief privacy officer Kristin Jones said in an interview with TechCrunch. “I also see this as a great opportunity to educate our customers about how they share data.” This new privacy push comes as automakers are making their cars increasingly connected. While