Ford’s Privacy Policies And How To Delete Your Data Or Opt Out
Updated: October 7th, 2024
Introduction
Ford's Privacy Policy outlines the practices regarding the collection, use, and sharing of personal information. The policy covers various aspects of privacy across Ford's services and products. They have a specific focus on online privacy, ensuring that individuals understand how their information is handled when interacting with Ford's digital platforms, including their main website and connected vehicle services.
In addition to general practices, Ford provides region-specific privacy disclosures, such as those for California, to comply with local regulations. Furthermore, Ford extends its privacy practices to international operations, as seen in Ford India's privacy policy, which ensures the secure handling of personal information and provides contact information for further inquiries.
Ford’s Privacy Practices
Ford's privacy practices encompass various aspects concerning the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. The details are outlined in their privacy policy:
Data Collection:
Ford collects personal information in different ways based on interactions with customers, the products used, and choices made. The types of information collected include contact information (e.g., name, email address), demographics (e.g., age range, nationality), payment data for purchases, preferences indicated by customers, audio/visual data like profile images, identifiers such as social media IDs, and security-related information for account authentication
Besides basic personal details, Ford also collects more specific data like driver’s license numbers, purchase history, location information, vehicle and driving info, and even data from voice commands. This extends to a variety of data including seat belt usage, braking, and fuel level, among others.
Usage of Collected Data:
The collected data aids Ford in fulfilling its vision of providing affordable, safe transportation. It also helps incorporate advanced technology into products and services, improve quality and safety, minimize environmental impact, and enhance the overall driving and ownership experience.
Privacy Safeguards for Vehicle Owners:
Vehicle owners or drivers are advised to inform others who drive the vehicle or connect their mobile devices to it about Ford's privacy notice. Additionally, if planning to sell or transfer the vehicle, a Master/User Reset is required to ensure the privacy of data.
Third-Party and Dealer Interaction:
Information disclosed to authorized dealers during a purchase or lease is shared with Ford, but it's important to note that dealers are separate legal entities with their own privacy practices. Ford recommends reviewing the privacy practices of the dealer you are interacting with.
Some third parties like FordDirect, which assists Ford and its dealers, also collect and use personal information, subject to their own privacy statements.
Connected Services:
Ford has a section dedicated to Connected Vehicle Privacy which likely discusses the data collected and utilized from connected services and products, highlighting the specific privacy practices surrounding connected vehicles.
Location-Specific Practices:
The privacy practices discussed apply primarily to individuals in the United States, with different privacy notices for individuals in other countries.
Separate Privacy Entities:
It's noteworthy that each dealer operation is a separate legal entity with its own privacy practices, and Ford isn't responsible for these privacy practices.
Privacy Policy Supplements:
FordPass Privacy Policy supplements the general Ford Motor Company Privacy Policy, further describing categories of personal information, including Connected Vehicle Information, collected, sources and uses, and California privacy rights of California residents as of January 1, 2020.
These practices reflect Ford's commitment to safeguarding personal information while utilizing data to enhance its products and services.
How To Contact Ford's Privacy Department?
To contact the privacy department of Ford regarding any concerns, complaints, or questions about privacy, individuals are directed to reach out to the Customer Relationship Center of Ford Motor Company. The contact details provided in the privacy policy are as follows:
Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126
1. General Line: 800-392-3673
2. TDD (for the hearing impaired): 800-232-5952
The Customer Relationship Center is available from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm EST, and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST.
Additionally, for concerns related to promotional communications, individuals have the option to manage their communications preferences through their owner account profile on the Ford website or by contacting the Customer Relationship Center as well.
How To Delete Your Data From Ford?
According to their privacy policy, you can contact Ford at 800-392-3673 to make delete requests. PrivacyHawk can also help identify companies that have your personal data and makes it easy to mass delete yourself to reduce your digital footprint and reduce your risk of being targeted by scams, fraud, and identity theft. You can try it for free on the App Store today.