"The easiest way that companies can avoid harming consumers from the collection, use, and sharing of sensitive information is by simply not collecting it in the first place."

the tone of the article seems like the FTC is hopeful that a 176 billion dollar auto company somehow knows, or even cares about whether their consumers suffer any harm at all. once money has changed hands, this simply isnt the case.

It is an infinitely better business decision to collect as much data as you can from every vehicle, and when *(if) you encounter an FTC fine, just pay it as most fines from the government are inexpensive and do not require any admission of guilt or liability whatsoever.

An even more cogent long term strategy is to collect all this data and set up your own governance boards and policymakers to enshrine your business decisions into federal law, making it nearly impossible for any independent organization or agency to question or challenge your business decisions.