A DRIVER has slapped Toyota with a lawsuit after he found out his car was tracking his movements and sharing his information for years.
The man found out his personal information had been tracked and sold after a pop-up window gave it away during an online insurance sign-up.
Philip Siefke is suing Toyota, Progressive Insurance, and Connected Analytic Services after realizing he had been signed up for a tech trial.
He claimed Toyota sold his driving data to Progressive without his knowledge.
Siefke said in the suit that he only learned about the data-sharing when he tried to switch insurance providers earlier this year, according to Car Scoops.
He claims Progressive Insurance and Connected Analytic Services already had detailed driving information about him, even before he agreed to share it, the lawsuit said.
The suit alleges Toyota gave the insurance giant access to data gathered through a tracking system installed in his vehicle, according to NBC affiliate WPTV.
Siefke bought his 2021 RAV4 XLE in March 2021, which came with a built-in “telemetry” device, court documents said.
The system records location, speed, tire pressure, seatbelt use, odometer readings, and even fuel levels.
Siefke claims he never agreed to have that information sent to third parties.
He reportedly only realized something was off in January, when he tried to buy an insurance policy through Progressive’s website.
After he clicked to opt out of data sharing, a pop-up told him Progressive already had his driving history.
He then called the company, which told him the information came straight from Toyota.
When he phoned Toyota, Siefke said he was told he’d signed up for a “trial program” to share driving data.
But he insists no one told him that meant selling his personal info to outside companies.
Now he is demanding a jury trial, and looking to represent other Toyota drivers he believes were also unknowingly tracked.
What Telemetry tracks
Location Fuel levels Odometer Speed Tire pressure Window status Seat belt statusSource: Toyota Data Solutions
The case could open up fresh trouble for Toyota, which is already facing legal heat over similar concerns.
In January, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a probe into Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, and FCA over claims they shared owner data without consent.
Siefke’s suit also names Progressive and Connected Analytic Services as defendants.
The collected data can allegedly be used to calculate potential discounts or raise insurance rates, the complaint warns.
Eligible vehicles include most Toyotas made in 2018 or later, meaning thousands of customers could be impacted.
The telemetry system can allegedly operate without the driver’s input or ongoing consent.
Siefke is asking the court to stop Toyota from continuing to collect and share data without clear approval.
He also wants the company to delete any data collected without permission.
Toyota and Progressive did not respond to a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.
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