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Author Topic: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe  (Read 1528 times)

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Offline Pandora

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GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« on: September 22, 2011, 02:24:14 PM »
If you're the owner of a fairly new General Motors product, you may want to take a close look at the most recent OnStar terms and conditions.

Quote
As it turns out, the company has altered the parameters under which it can legally collect GPS data on your vehicle.

Originally, the terms and conditions stated that OnStar could only collect information on your vehicle's location during a theft recovery or in the midst of sending emergency services your way. That has apparently changed. Now, OnStar says that it has the right to collect and sell personal, yet supposedly anonymous information on your vehicle, including speed, location, seat belt usage and other information.

Who would be interested in that data, you ask? Law enforcement agencies, for starters, as well as insurance companies. Perhaps the most startling news to come out of the latest OnStar terms and conditions is the fact that the company can continue to collect the information even after you disconnect the service. If you want the info to be cut off all together, you'll have to specifically shut down the vehicle's data connection. If that sounds scary, you should check out a full breakdown of the new policies here.

*UPDATE: OnStar has released a statement in response to the dust up over its newest set of terms and conditions. You can find the full text after the jump.
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Offline LadyVirginia

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2011, 02:35:09 PM »
 ::outrage::
Must I always be right? 


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Offline Libertas

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2011, 02:44:15 PM »
Quote from: LadyVirginia on September 22, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
::outrage::
Must I always be right? 




You have no choice...especially when so many others are always so wrong!
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Offline Pandora

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2011, 02:45:04 PM »
Quote from: LadyVirginia on September 22, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
::outrage::
Must I always be right?  




Hmmmm ....   NOW who's the adult in the room?

 ::exitstageleft::

Did you read the press release?  "We won't leave it on if you ask us not to [sure ya won't], but it's better for YOU if you agree to leave it on".
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Offline LadyVirginia

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2011, 03:06:21 PM »
Quote from: Pandora on September 22, 2011, 02:45:04 PM


Did you read the press release?  "We won't leave it on if you ask us not to [sure ya won't], but it's better for YOU if you agree to leave it on".

I read somewhere a few years ago that despite their ads trumpting its use in accidents that it's mostly used as yellow pages.
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Offline AlanS

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2011, 06:00:45 PM »
I've often thought (no matter what they say) they still collect info long after you cancel service. I wonder if disconnecting the On Star antennae would cripple their ability to collect info? ::evil::
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Offline Glock32

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2011, 07:11:40 PM »
I briefly had service with OnStar in 2005, for a year maybe. I wonder if mine is one of those being tracked. I also wonder if it's possible to disable the hardware without impacting other systems. I wouldn't be surprised if it is quite deliberately integrated with all the onboard management software and hardware.

This also brings to mind something discussed in a recent thread: I want an old truck with no electronic crap. I think a mechanical carburetor will be a lot more TEOTWAWKI-compliant than electronic fuel injection.
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Offline Pandora

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2011, 07:16:13 PM »
Quote from: Glock32 on September 22, 2011, 07:11:40 PM
I briefly had service with OnStar in 2005, for a year maybe. I wonder if mine is one of those being tracked. I also wonder if it's possible to disable the hardware without impacting other systems. I wouldn't be surprised if it is quite deliberately integrated with all the onboard management software and hardware.

This also brings to mind something discussed in a recent thread: I want an old truck with no electronic crap. I think a mechanical carburetor will be a lot more TEOTWAWKI-compliant than electronic fuel injection.

Exactly why we're restoring the '55 Chebby.  And maybe someday *ahem* we'll get that finished.

And every single time I write anywhere about wanting an old truck for the same reasons, I am treated *ahem* to a lecture on how far back one has to go to get one free of any computer gizmos.
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Offline John Florida

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2011, 07:48:30 PM »
You can bail on this but your cells are still on. Were never alone and I hate it.
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charlesoakwood

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2011, 12:04:29 AM »
Quote from: John Florida on September 22, 2011, 07:48:30 PM
You can bail on this but your cells are still on. Were never alone and I hate it.

No GM for me.

Those cells and this net, the only anonymity is the massive amount of available information.  Just the brief encounters with lefty sites and one may assume stuff falling off the right side also or just say all far sides causes common everyday usage to be covered by massive mania.  One may assume?



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Offline Pandora

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2011, 12:06:57 AM »
Quote
...just say all far sides causes common everyday usage to be covered by massive mania.  One may assume?

Charles, could you decode this please, if you will.
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"Let us assume for the moment everything you say about me is true. That just makes your problem bigger, doesn't it?"

charlesoakwood

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2011, 12:27:07 AM »

Ha, that is a bit of a mess.  We have center, left, and right, then fringes, then thought patterns that are farther out.

They collect every bit of data and normal chatter is so dilute relative to the fringes and far outs / Hey, it's late and
maybe cogent will come out tomorrow.  Missed you at the chat room.

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Offline Pandora

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Re: GM's OnStar now spying on your car for profit even after you unsubscribe
« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2011, 02:50:25 AM »
Oookay.  G'nite. Sleep well.  ::confused::
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"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain

"Let us assume for the moment everything you say about me is true. That just makes your problem bigger, doesn't it?"
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