Big Brother

[Joe 121]

My wife just bought a new car from a well known Japanese car company last week. What surprised me was on page 9 of the owners manual:

 

 

"Your (Vehicle) is equipped with several sophisticated computers that will record certain data, such as:

Engine Speed

Accelerator status

(ETC)"

 

it went on to say:

"Your vehicle may transmit the data recorded in these computers to (the manufacturer) without notification to you"

 

further

"(the manufacturer) will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:

With consent of the vehicle owner ...

In response to an official request by the police ...

For use by (the manufacturer) in a lawsuit

For research purposes..."

 

I am not surprised this information exists. That is basically what OBDII is all about. What bothers me is they can sample the data on the fly without my permission or even my knowledge. There is even a 'black box' that maintains the last 30 seconds of data prior to an accident.

 

I am sure OnStar could easily do this as well, but I have not seen anything in my owners manual that says they actually do it.

 

Did I miss something? Is Big Brother living in my truck?

 

 

 

[SilveradoSaver]

No different than your computer sending information back to different companies. This is the world we are living in right now...

[Joe 121]

But, for the most part, I can block what information is sent from my computer

[SilveradoSaver]

You'd be surprised. You'd also be surprised what kind of data is transmitted from your cell phone as well. It's near impossible to live a "private" life anymore. Vehicles now a days are just computers on wheels.

[Pearl2017]

My brand new onstar trial account in the first few weeks had recorded that I had 1 substantial braking event and a few acceleration events. I did not realize that was enabled by default I disabled it on the website. You can bet if you're naughty in this vehicle and a substantial event occurs everyone will know about it.

[Pearl2017]

My brand new onstar trial account in the first few weeks had recorded that I had 1 substantial braking event and a few acceleration events. I did not realize that tracking was enabled by default so I disabled it on the website. I guess if you want to spy on your teenage drivers it would be helpful. even so you can bet if you're naughty in this vehicle and a substantial event occurs everyone will know about it.

[Joe 121]

No, I'm not surprised. I spent over 40 years in the computer industry. I know all about databases and what was called data mining.

 

But I'm the type of guy that would disable the link if I knew it was actively 'sharing information' about me. I might even disable it just because I don't trust it.

 

Just because the manufacturer set it up this way doesn't mean I have to accept it.

[Joe 121]

So, Pearl2017 is saying OnStar is actively sampling this data. That is good to know. Is this web site open to all GMC owners or only those with active OnStar accounts?

[x219c]

Nobody seems to remember when on star was caught a few years ago doing exactly this. On non-onstar customers to boot. You had to call and opt out. Because most people who didn't renew assumed they stopped watching (with good reason) when your account was inactive, it was a lot of people. Come to think of it, I need to make sure I've opted out.

 

 

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[Joe 121]

I don't understand why this was moved to off topic. I was questioning the operation of OnStar on my 2014 Sierra

[barry G]

given how serious integrity is to take in that data..

the late 90s early 2000s really put it in its place.

the wild criminal days of that stuff is long gone done.

 

the benefit is finding mass errors. Like electronic throttles etc.

[Joe 121]

I guess my concern is more to what Pearl2017 said. What happens when my truck begins broadcasting my current speed as I am driving. The Police won't need radar or lasers. I won't need the 5th amendment, my truck will be incriminating me as I drive.

[StillOffshore]

I guess my concern is more to what Pearl2017 said. What happens when my truck begins broadcasting my current speed as I am driving. The Police won't need radar or lasers. I won't need the 5th amendment, my truck will be incriminating me as I drive.

Break the speedo needle off...problem solved. You're welcome.

...unless it's a digital dash...in that case, how do you feel about scratch and sniff markers?

 

Seriously though, agree fully with your post. Where do we draw that line? Is it too late to draw the line?

[Pearl2017]

If you absolutely dont want it what you can do is remove the onstar antenna connection. The ECM is still recording tough and if an event occurs the insurance company will go straight to it. Some time ago I heard for Corvettes you could buy a racing ECM and all that was disabled.

[Spurshot]

If you're involved in a lawsuit, a plaintiff against you could file a discovery motion to acquire whatever data is recorded, wherever it resides, whether in your onboard NVM or at some OnStar server. But, I hadn't heard of insurance companies using it for common claims. Maybe the big stuff with serious injury/death lawsuits?