Ford Escapes Claims Over ‘Infotainment’ System Phone Recordings

Ford Motor Co. beat proposed class allegations that it unlawfully recorded and stored drivers’ call logs and text messages with its hands-free “infotainment systems,” after a federal judge in Washington said Ford doesn’t control the infotainment system after a vehicle is purchased.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington also dismissed similar claims against Volkswagen Group of America, Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., and General Motors Co. in separate opinions on Thursday.

Mark Jones and Michael McKee claimed that Ford violated the Washington Privacy Act, which prohibits companies from recording private communications, when ...