Data sharing practices among leading providers of ELDs to owner-operators

Jun 6, 2019

Updated Jun 17, 2019

Previously in this series: ELD data handling: ‘Privacy is paramount,’ but practices vary

Regarding electronic logging device providers’ data policies, Overdrive attempted to survey 14 ELD providers, representing those used by significant percentages of readers of Overdrive and sister fleet publication Commerical Carrier Journal, based on a late 2018 reader survey. As shown in the chart below, none of the providers that answered questions were engaged in direct sales of individual customer data, but many do share aggregated, anonymized data with third parties and employ such data internally in the development of new products. Trimble (formerly PeopleNet), Omnitracs, BigRoad and Verizon Connect (owner of the former Fleetmatics, Telogis) declined to answer the questions in the survey, while Samsara did not respond to inquiries.

As you examine the chart, keep in mind an opt-in policy refers to a situation where a user requests that the ELD provider share often nonanonymous information with a third-party service, such as a transportation management software (TMS) system or a load-track provider, to enable expanded functionality. An opt-out policy allows users to exclude their data from an ELD provider’s internal use or its sharing of data in any form, including anonymous, aggregated information in some instances.

> > > Scroll the chart to uncover the range of provider policies. > > >

	Blue Ink Technology	Continental VDO RoadLog	Garmin	Geotab	J.J. Keller	KeepTruckin	Konexial	Rand McNally	Transflo
Sells or shares data?	Never sells	Never sells; terms allow for sharing of anonymized data	No	Not currently selling; terms allow for sharing of anonymized data	Never sells; terms allow for sharing of anonymized data	Never sells; terms allow for sharing of anonymized data	Not currently selling or sharing; terms allow aggregating of anonymized data	Not currently selling; terms allow for sharing of anonymized data	Never sells
Uses internally?	Yes, to improve product’s functionality	Yes, to help develop new products	No	Yes, to help develop new products	Yes, to improve product’s functionality	Yes, to help develop new products	Yes, to improve product’s functionality	Yes, to improve product’s functionality	Yes, to improve product’s functionality
Opt-in / opt-out policies	Sharing requires customer opt-in	Sharing requires customer opt-in	N/A	Opt-out not available	Opt-out available with customer request	Opt-out available with customer request	Sharing requires customer opt-in	Opt-out not available	Sharing requires customer opt-in
Benefits gained with data shared	Opt-in integrations with outside systems allow them to function	Opt-in integrations with outside systems allow them to function	N/A	Geotab’s service is built on data aggregation to deliver analytics and other products to users	Aggregated data informs wider industry safety, compliance; opt-in integrations with outside systems allow them to function	Opt-in integrations with outside systems allow them to function; insights into detention times have spurred advocacy efforts toward improvement	Opt-in ancillary services include GoFuel manager and GoLoad freight matching function	Opt-in integrations with outside systems allow them to function	Opt-in integrations with outside systems/ancillary services allow them to function
Types of data shared with third parties	Whatever the customer requests	Whatever the customer requests	N/A	Aggregated, anonymous; also: whatever the customer requests	Whatever the customer requests; also: aggregated anonymous with media, consultants	Whatever the customer requests	Data required for ancillary products to function	Whatever the customer requests	Whatever the customer requests
Types of third parties user data can touch	Any third party requested by user	Any third party requested by user	N/A	Municipalities, transportation authorities, third parties requested by customers	Dispatch, TMS and related systems; media; industry consultants	See KT’s App Marketplace for third parties whose service can be integrated, including TMS providers, tracking techs, insurers, more	N/A	Dispatch, TMS and related systems, insurers	Tracking techs, navigation providers, other integrated services

Next in this series: Missing reins in an emerging marketplace for ELD data

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