Am I the only one that finds the concept of "On Star" a little suspicious?

[crazychile]

I'm not usually the paranoid type but there is something about the OnStar service, that makes the red lights and bells go off.

For those of you that dont know what I'm talking about, this is the subscription service available on GM and other cars that can unlock your doors for you when you lock your keys in the car, automatically call the police/ambulance when your airbag is deployed, and other "conveniences".

Sure, there are some obvious benefits to this service, but has anyone thought of the downside of this? I mean, if they have all these features, they also can know where you are, track your driving patterns and routes, listen in to your personal conversations, etc. Wouldn't make sense that due to the Patriot Act, the Govt could demand this info, as well as an insurance company could also if you are in an accident, etc.

Granted there is already a "black box" in new vehicles that does some of this, but legislation was passed so that you have to know about the box, and be able to disable it if you chose.

I don't know, am I the only one that sees the potential for abuse here?

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Nope, nothing to see here, move right along!

War is Peace.

Freedom is Slavery.

Ignorance is Strength.

-Matt

 

[firefox360]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Nope, nothing to see here, move right along! War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. -Matt

Well Said..

But I think we've passed 1984 now, and so far the world hasn't been seperated into 3 different entities.

As for OnStar, they can indeed listen in on your conversations. There was an article I read awhile ago, that said that the operators or any government agency's can listen in on your, when they please. Although I think the side effect of it was that the emergency system on-board in the OnStar would have to be disabled for them to do so.

 

[Mr.PD]

I never considered that they could listen in on you.
I have thought much about them knowing where you are at any given moment. I am guessing here, but I imagine that they could tell how fast you are going and all they via the GPS part of the system.
Yes, it does bother me a little. But, I feel safety in numbers. There are thousands of OnStar vehicles out there, what would make them watch boring little me? And, if they did watch me, they would get bored quickly and move on to someone more exciting.

BUT, I would have to look in to the listening in aspect. I wouldn't want that.

One question, how do you call OnStar if you are locked out of your car? They must have a number you can call on a cell phone or something.

I don't own a GM vehicle, so I don't have OnStar. But I have been considering a Cadillac. Maybe I will just stick with the Lincoln.

 

[marvin]

Paranoid.

OnStar surveillance by government agencies should be pretty far down your list of potential government abuses.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Of course there is potential for abuse. Every invention ever made has an abuse potential. From Coke bottles to buggy whips.

If it concerns you that much, disable the OnStar® system. Or buy a car that doesn't offer it. Its really nothing more than a glorified cellphone that can only dial one number.

 

[AlanY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin Paranoid. OnStar surveillance by government agencies should be pretty far down your list of potential government abuses.

It's not paranoid. The OnStar terms of service do not even require a warrant for law enforcement officials to do vehicle surveillance. The FBI has been quite active in using OnStar for remote monitoring. The only court to rule against this practice, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, did so on the basis that it impaired the safety functionality of the product, not on the basis of privacy arguments.

If the FBI regularly uses OnStar for their purposes, it's not unreasonable to expect that the NSA/CIA are doing so as well.