I am not sure if this is the right forum but there are some information privacy considerations with the new Camaro (and all new cars).

Will GM publish a spec indicating exactly what information is being recorded in the 2009 Camaro's memory? Do we have a right to know what big brother is tracking about us? Will GM provide a memory flush button so we can erase this information when desired? Do we have a legal right to prevent anyone from using this information against us since we have the right to not self incriminate?

I know this is the first question I will ask when I go to buy this car and they better have a good answer.

Food for thought. What do you all think?

 

Good thread to start. I am going to move this to the Automotive news section, since it may apply to all future cars as well as the Camaro.

 

Thanks Jason. Wasn't sure where to put it. I chaps my but that this info is being tracked and I don't hear any outrage. It can only be used to hang you in a courtroom and we don't even know what it is. Not only that, but I am sure new cars cost a little extra for this "feature" and what is the benefit to the owner?

Love to hear others thoughts on this....

 

Good thread idea.

I'm curious as well.
Hopefully someone can find some info on it.

Mantua huh ?

 

I just saw that this topic was recently discussed but my point is more toward will GM tell us what is being tracked and give us the option to erase it. The previous thread focused on this information being transmitted through OnStar. Disconnecting OnStar may not help because this info may be stored in the PCM.

So my point is, what is stored, where is it stored, for how long is it stored, can I erase it, how, etc. Seems I have a right not to be forced to buy a system that can be used against me without my knowledge. If car manufacturers were forced to reveal this information, it certainly would factor into my purchasing decision...

Any politicians want to propose a law making this information available to consumers?

Here is the previous similar post... http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...ight=black+box

 

Not too far...

 

What's being recorded into your car's memory?

Well, if you have airbags, I believe it records how fast you decellerated before impact/airbag deployment.

If you have ABS or traction control, and therefore wheel speed sensors, the
related computers also store data about how fast you were going in the short time leading up to the crash.

That's all OBD2 though.

I've heard rumors that with the OBD3 prototypes, if your car's safety/emissions equipment throws a trouble code, and you don't get it fixed in X amount of time, then they can completely deactivate your car via sattelite, and there's a painful bureaucratic process to getting it active again.

But, as I said... rumors.

If I remember correctly, the debate on whether your car's computer should testify against you is pretty much why OBD3 isn't in our cars yet.

 

I seriously question rumors like that. I mean...the last thing an automaker wants to do is give the public a solid reason not to buy one of their cars. Would someone want to buy a car with the fear of something like that happening? Very few.

Not to mention, imagine the liability issue. For instance...if I am home and I get seriously injured in my garage and my wife needs to rush me to the hospital...and the manufacturer intentionally made it so it wouldn't start... Well, you can figure out the rest.

Just coming up with some reasonable thoughts.

 

I think GM and Toyota are the only ones doing it right now, but they usually computer saves the data that all the sensors are inputing and outputing to make it easier to diagnosis an check engine light. I know that for a fact, and it does help out figuring out what the problem was, especially intermittent ones. I wouldn't be suprised if it did the same thing when you were in a accident, but I believe that is more information to cover GMs *** from somebody being stupid and trying to sue them for something that would have obviously been the owners fault or to prove that the equipment did work as designed.

 

Yeah Im not too thrilled with the big brother black box.

My manager just bought a Lotus. They do a full dump of the computer and see if youve been ragging the car. If you have, guess what?



Warrenty Voided....

 

Right now all info for the last 3 seconds before an accident is detected. And that is all new cars on the road now. Perhaps those who are crying "Big Brother" should not do the things that they are worried about being busted for. Instead of saying their rights/privacy is being violated.

 

While I completely agree with that where do you draw the line? We, as Americans, have the right to NOT self incriminate ourselves, which is exactly what this would do as the first poster mentioned.

The new technology is walking a fine line. It would probably cut down on "free" warranty work... I can see it now...

GM tech: Yup, you're right sir, you're 2k9 Camaro engine engine is blown.

Me: Ok, so when can y'all have that back to me for free?

GM tech: Well sir, we can't fix it for free, you voided your warranty when you broke triple digits The little computer told me so.

Me: Oh ****

Not that I would actually do that, but you get the idea. I think it could help GM deny fraudulent warranty claims which would be good for all (keep the costs of new vehicles down) but could get you in some trouble in an accident....

I'm not for one side or the other... but I'm leaning away from "Big Brother," as the technolgy has its pros and cons.

 

When you delete something on a PC, it isn't being actually being deleted.
So what is the difference between this happening on a personal computer and in a car computer?

 

One more reason that new cars suck...

 

Hard drive vs flash memory. Maybe you could rig up something to fry the ecu and set it up to activate when the air bags go off.