The Dark Side of On-Star

Big Brother IS watching

Published on March 12, 2004 By Dynosoar In Gadgets & Electronics

The On-Star sattelite "motorist assistance" system is more than a helpful voice in the event of an emergency.

Did you know they can track where you are, and where you have been, and how long it took you to get there ?
Law enforcement can now trace your movements by On-Star with a warrant.
General Motors hails On-Star as great for the stranded motorist as well, call for help, keys locked in, etc...

Did you know they have the technology to STRAND and LOCK OUT you ?

Yep, it is a service provided by On-Star to YOUR LIENHOLDER !!!!!

Funny how General Motors is the largest lender for GM vehicles ( GMAC )...

Oh, and GMAC now owns Integon Insurance, just one of the nations largest auto insurers, think they might be interested
in how fast you drive.....

I love it when a company charges YOU more for an item that is designed to help THEM, not you.

The technology has already passed a legal test in Michigan, several years ago a large "On-Lot Finance" dealer
installed a GPS device ( that's what On-Star is ) on all of his collateral ( financed autos ) along with the GPS
the system was wired to disable the auto in the event of non-payment, it would even signal the driver 24hrs in advance
of the impending shut down.
Certainly a no pay, no play program.

Kinda makes you wonder why GM has now installed the On-Star on ALL GM cars and trucks, when it used to be just a luxury item
for Cadillac.

They do not even give you a choice, it's standard equipment.

Happy Motoring.

Comments

Dark-Star

on Mar 12, 2004

Well, I don't see this as wrong at all. Since the speed limit is a state law. Breaking it is would be a crime. Hey, we all drive safely anyway, right? Speeders cost everyone more money. Wouldn't you think the roads would be safer if we didn't have people who speed? This is just one less thing to worry about. I'm sure that GM is protecting more then themselves, although that may be their primary concern, the general populace is safer by enforced laws such as this. Besides, what is more important then personal safety? If you don't have your health... you have nothing.

Dynosoar

on Mar 12, 2004

Dark-star,

I do not disagree, but I think not safety, but more than likely premiums ( insurance that is ) are what GM is after. As well as
knowing exactly where their collateral is, what condition it is in ( engine monitors etc ), and how to secure that collateral
in the event of non-payment.

I'm all for it,( being used by others ) just not the passive intrusion it presents.
As for me, I'll just motor along in my pre-On-Star ride.

Steve

on Mar 12, 2004

Look on the bright side: they've just opened up a big market in spoofing the things, haven't they?

Dan Kaschel

on Mar 12, 2004

I was actually thinking about that as I heard the commercials. I'd rather have control over my vehicle than be safe in every situation. I'd like to still be safe when I rob a bank, if you know what I mean...

~Dan

Dark-Star

on Mar 12, 2004

You know, that's one really great thing about blogging... You don't always see eye-to-eye with everyone's comments at first, but now that I've heard your comments, I have to really think. Wow, you know you're right about it. hummmmm.. I'm not sure I think GM's after my safety. Good points guys. And you're right, I like knowing that when I "keep the car running", parked out side of the bank, I can be sure that when I jump in it with a sack of cash, it'll still be running.

BulbousHead

on Mar 12, 2004

I think the lesson here is clear: when robbing a bank, first steal a car that doesn't have OnStar.

Dan Kaschel

on Mar 21, 2004

I think the lesson here is clear: when robbing a bank, first steal a car that doesn't have OnStar.

Exactly! lol...

~Dan

qrush

on Mar 21, 2004

Just the thought of someone tracking my location scares me. It's like Minority Report...wherever you go, they're watching! Or is that Big Brother? Heck, it may be both. Anyways, I don't see how OnStar beats AAA or just calling a friend/asking for directions.

And about stealing the OnStar car...you could always disconnect its little radio device...

on Mar 22, 2004

Certainly a no pay, no play program.

I don't see anything wrong with that. So far it seems that lot of people buys a car on credit, then just won't pay.

The tracking thing, so what? That is, as long the information is not public. Of course, there is no such assertions for information being private so I wouldn't want the tracking part.

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