Advanced Communication Systems on New Cars..Freind or foe?

[Granny]

I have got to say that I have been taken in with the blue-Link on our new car.
The things I can do with it are awesome!
Last night something strange happened while I was up at 2 am.
The red light flashes which I'm sure is the security but then I was seeing a blue light for maybe 5 minutes.
That was really creepy.
I'm thinking what infromation is being gathered and where is it being sent?
So..I was doing 85MPH and now that information is going to my insurance company?

I love the idea if my car gets stolen it can be located and shut down.
I can go on line and even controll what speeds and how far it can be driven but is there a price tag to that?

[Mikes2nd]

many times the car "reboots" at night actually.

They do this to reset the systems, at night when they learn your sleeping patterns.

This is microsoft you know

Since it was 5 minutes i almost guarantee it was a nightly reset. The car makers take the operation system and throw a ton on top of it
and alot doesnt play nice. Ford jacked theirs up when they outsources MyTouch to India... that was a nightmare.

The Bluelink is a nice system, they didnt jack it up like Ford did(Ford put an update out which helped of course).

they can't track you unless you let them.

your cell phone is already doing it anyways(google is watching)... always watching.

There is some privacy stuff on your agreement, check it out.

[UTRacerX9]

they can't track you unless you let them.

Until a law enforcement agency decides they need to know where you are for some reason, and can get that info any time they wish.

I'm not a fan of this kind of stuff. I am all for cars becoming more technologically advanced (just like the 3/S was when it came out) but I'm only for it as it pertains to the driving experience. Electronically controlled AWD, HID lighting, Fiber Optic cabling to cut down on all the wires, Heads up displays, use of carbon fiber and aluminum, etc. But when you start throwing things like OnStar into the mix, and programs like it... Who the hell needs or wants a connection to an operator somewhere, all the time? If something bad happens, isn't having a cell phone enough?

I actually decided to buy a previous generation car a few months back instead of a later model because of the newer electrical system... I wouldn't have been able to replace the stereo headunit without having to replace the amp, all the speakers, bluetooth module, etc, because the manufacturer doesn't want you to, and ties it all together in the newest versions.

[Granny]

I'm sure in the 2 inch thick owners manuel it explains it all. LOL

[j2k4]

Don't bother with the manual, Karen - Mike has given you an "almost guarantee".

[green-lantern]

Puts on tinfoil hat

I don’t like it, reason being is even if it’s good and private now how long until they pass a law “To save the kids” or “protect from terrorists” that this stuff has to be monitored? Insurance penalties, maybe even speeding tickets. It could be 20-30 years from now but I just know stuff like this will be used in ways that we won’t like. Not to mention the system being hacked.

Onstar to sell vehicle information | abc7chicago.com

September 22, 2011 (WLS) -- If your car is equipped with the Onstar system, the General Motors Communication Service can soon start selling your information.


Starting in December, Onstar can start selling data collected from vehicles. The system can track how fast you drive, whether you use your seatbelt and how frequently you fill up your gas tank.

Under a new policy, the information can then be sold to law enforcement departments, insurance companies, credit card processors and others.

Onstar users were notified about the policy change by e-mail.

[EZnTn]

Puts on tinfoil hat

I don’t like it, reason being is even if it’s good and private now how long until they pass a law “To save the kids” or “protect from terrorists” that this stuff has to be monitored? Insurance penalties, maybe even speeding tickets. It could be 20-30 years from now but I just know stuff like this will be used in ways that we won’t like. Not to mention the system being hacked.

They've already got your number

[Granny]

I can clearly see this becoming the reality of owning new cars.

I don't have Progressive insurance but isn't that snapshot thing customers put in their car computers basically a "Tell all" to the insurance company?

[green-lantern]

I don't have Progressive insurance but isn't that snapshot thing customers put in their car computers basically a "Tell all" to the insurance company?

That's exactly what it is.

[Mikes2nd]

progressive is full of chit...

they can void your insurance if your speeding... they simply go "F you"... were not paying.

You can unplug your on star. But honestly why would you have a problem with an in car system if you own a smartphone? They are tracking your every move already.

Not to mention where you drive but where you walk, 24*7... Google does this for your entire life, where you go, what you do on the web so why worry about someone else who is only doing your driving?

two democrats got GM to not track your on star though...

OnStar reverses course, to drop data after service ends | Electronista