Big Brother Warning: Ford's disclaimer about car computer data

[Kirby]

Ford owner's manual WARNS that the car's computer data may be used against you. From an editorial article: Car Connection

Excerpt Below:

Several months ago, bored with waiting in the car while my wife was shopping, I dared venture where few men (or women) ever go: reading the owner manual in the glovebox.

A notice jumped from the pages at me: "Data Recording - Computers in your vehicle are capable of recording detailed data such as use of restraint systems, engine, throttle, steering, brake, or other system status."

"This information may be used by Ford service and repair facilities, law enforcement or government agencies, or others who may assert a right or obtain your consent to know such information."

"Holy Cow," I said out loud to myself. "Lie detectors."

No more dog-ate-my-homework excuses, I thought. No more claims that seat belts failed, brakes didn't work or "I was only going 20 mph."

Although I was dimly aware that airplane-like black boxes had been talked about for cars, they always seemed way off in the future. And, as most TCC reader regulars know, my specialty as a car nut automotive writer has been more about the past than the future.

 

[codex57]

Yup, they've been used before. I've only heard it in the news on American cars though. They've come in handy though. One guy claimed he was only going like 30 mph when he crashed and killed like 2 pedestrians. DA got the black box and it showed he was going 80+ at the moment of the crash.

Still, the potential for serious invasions of privacy is there.

 

[mrferg]

See this is why older cars still serve a purpose.

 

[tool fan]

Beam me up Scotty...WTF. Pretty soon there will be no more traffic cops. Your car will have a computer that transmits data to a central location via satalite. If you break the speed limit....you get a ticket in the mail. If you are involved in a minor accident, you vehicle will be disabled (via satalite) so that you cannot flee the scene. Same thing if your insurance is expired and or you are an un insured motorist, your vehicle will be disabled (via satalite). They will be able to monitor where your vehicle has been. The government is seriously starting to F^ck with our rights in an attempt to curb criminal activity...The US is becoming a police state. What do you think this "ONSTAR" crap is all about in the new GM cars?

 

[first5ny]

Pretty soon there will be no more traffic cops. Your car will have a computer that transmits data to a central location via satalite. If you break the speed limit....you get a ticket in the mail. If

The authorities will still have to prove who was driving the vehicle so they know who to issue the ticket to. As far as I know, an owner of a car is not responsible for a ticket issued to someone he let borrow the car.

Accidents and liability may be a little different.

Still has a big potential to invade ones privacy.

 

[raf]

Oh yeah? look at red light cameras...

The authorities will still have to prove who was driving the vehicle so they know who to issue the ticket to. As far as I know, an owner of a car is not responsible for a ticket issued to someone he let borrow the car.

Accidents and liability may be a little different.

Still has a big potential to invade ones privacy.

In some Canadian cities red light cameras are being installed to catch cars that run red lights (a very dangerous practice) and as far as I know the owner is responsible.

 

[whitej34]

In some Canadian cities red light cameras are being installed to catch cars that run red lights (a very dangerous practice) and as far as I know the owner is responsible.

Go to Europe if you want to see lots of cameras for traffic. There are 2 types that I saw in my 2 years there: permanent and impromtu setups. They setup "flashers" in busy intersection and roads to monitor traffic and send ticket to people for speeding and running lights. You do something wrong, you see the flash from the camera and you get a ticket in the mail 2-3 weeks later. If you contest it, the Polizei will send you a hi-res photo and a bigger fine.

I got flashed coming back from Berlin. They setup a mock construction site, dropped the speed limit from unlimited to 100kmh, with little warning, and I got caught speeding. The camera idea is nothing new.

 

[tool fan]

I am not talking about cameras. I am in Germany and am ALL TO familiar with the camera set up. I am talking about internal computer system in your car that recognizes when you are going an excessive speed. The computer submits the data via satalite to a central location and a ticket is issued and mailed. It would be up to the individual owner of the vehicle to PROVE he was not the driver. ONSTAR Baby....you don't have to take my word for it....you will see.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Someone is bound to invent jammers if our cars ever become monitored like that, there are already liscence plates that when taken a picture off all the camera see's is a white rectangle.

 

[BMWdude]

Someone is bound to invent jammers if our cars ever become monitored like that, there are already liscence plates that when taken a picture off all the camera see's is a white rectangle.

Yeh, its some sort of a clear liquid coating that you spray on the plates. It works [fake]

 

[MrElussive]

I don't like the sound of this black box crap. All they do is give us crazy speeding tickets....why don't they just raise the speed limits? Cars are much better now and can handle faster speeds. They should raise all speed limits by 10mph and I think I would be happy.


Millitant-Grunt, I like how it says "European Model Shown" in the bottom right corner of the picture in your signature.

 

[wood_e]

This technology has been around for a bit. I think it can be used for good purposes and bad. If someone was driving drunk and killed somebody and the black box was able to recreate the crash aspects then more power to them if it takes drunks off the roads. However this (like what has been said before) can become a large invasion of privacy.

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, but driving is a priveledge, not a right. When you drive on public streets, you gotta follow the rules/laws of the road. When something happens and you lie about it, you only make things worse (except for yourself).

 

[Abdoman]

The say that it's a privilege, but isn't America the land of the free? I know what you are saying, but don't you think that it's our right to be able to drive?

 

[tool fan]

The say that it's a privilege, but isn't America the land of the free? I know what you are saying, but don't you think that it's our right to be able to drive?

What about the guy I saw on TV the other night that has had 12 DUI's and been is 7 accidents.....I don't think it is a right...it is certainly a privilage that far to many people abuse.