Why Did You Make This Website?
The purpose of this website is to encourage you not to purchase any GM
vehicle that is equipped with OnStar or any other type of spyware that you cannot easily remove
and disable on your own, without additional cost and without seeing your dealer. According to the
GM website, all GM vehicles will come with OnStar as part of their standard equipment package.
This means that you cannot order a car without it, just like you cannot elect not to have seatbelts
(which should be your right as well, but that's a topic covered on
one of my other websites).
Why Wouldn't I Want OnStar?
You very well may want to use OnStar in your vehicle. It is great if you
frequently lock yourself out of your own car. It is also useful for recovering your vehicle if
it is stolen, but then again so is LoJack.
Common sense (like taking the detachable faceplate of your several thousand dollar stereo system with you) and careful parking (such as not parking in bad areas that are poorly lit) are also a great theft prevention tools.
But OnStar is also one of the best tools available that the government
and big business could use to invade your privacy. In some cases, OnStar data has been used against the owner
of the vehicle. Below are some examples of how data collected by the OnStar service and/or other
devices similar to it in operation have been used:
- In the Scott Peterson double murder case, police obtained a warrant to secretly place GPS transmitters on his three vehicles. GPS devices report the exact location of an object to a network of satellites constantly. While the devices were not OnStar units, this case clears the way for OnStar data to be used in California courts and possibly elsewhere.
- Information is circulating on the Internet that tells you how to get at your OnStar unit and download its databank. This information can also be used by anyone else.
- OnStar can be used to listen to all conversations within a vehicle, despite assertions by OnStar representatives to the contrary. A recent court decision has by the 9th Circuit Federal Appeals Court has declared this practice improper, but not for privacy reasons. The reasoning the Court relied upon was this: if the device is being used to spy on the occupants, it can't be used to make a call to emergency services. The Court sidestepped the entire privacy issue, and it is very likely that we will soon revisit this issue in Court.
- If you are involved in a traffic accident, information gathered about you with OnStar and similar devices may be used against you in Court by lawyers representing insurance companies. This could be something like the fact that you didn't use a seatbelt (which is your right and irrelevant to who is at fault in the accident) or the fact that you were speeding an hour ago. Just because you were speeding an hour ago doesn't make you any more or less at fault for the accident, but you can bet that insurance company lawyers don't look at things in this manner.
- Insurance companies may require that you permit them to examine your data as a condition of insurance. Refusal to provide data may result in a raise in rates or refusal of coverage. At this moment, Progressive is piloting a test program which gives drivers discounts on their insurance based on information obtained from a blackbox. While this program is voluntary now, it may not be later as history has proven that what starts as voluntary compliance for the good of onself, later becomes legislated regulation.
- Most new cars sold today include vehicle warranties. Data contained in your OnStar unit could be downloaded by anyone at the dealership. This data could later be used to deny warranty repairs on the grounds that you "abused" your vehicle. Remember speeding up to about 90 to get around the guy whose bumper looked like it was gonna fall off? While all of the dealers promise they'd never do this and it would be a violation of the privacy agreements, how do you really know that they'll keep their word?
- There are very few laws on the books that govern who may and may not gather information from your OnStar box, how or if they may use it or steps they must take to prevent other people from using or abusing your data without your knowledge or consent. Some states have taken the initiative and introduced laws to protect consumers to a degree. But most of these laws are easily circumvented, have no means for enforcement and/or do not do enough. And only a handful of states have these laws. There are no federal laws to protect your privacy and prevent abuse!
What Could GM/OnStar Do to Make You Happy?
GM/OnStar can address the issues that this website raises very simply,
and with minimal expense and hassle. Anything less is an unfair and deceptive practice that
has the proximate effect of defrauding the consumer and misleading the public. As such,
their vehicles should not be purchased until these changes are made.
- Make OnStar an optional feature available for an additional cost,
not standard equipment. There should be an additional cost for the feature so that
the cost of the feature is not included in the purchase price of the vehicle. Customers who don't want OnStar shouldn't have to pay for it.
- Include on the vehicle. information plaque a statement that the
vehicle. has been equipped with OnStar, so that purchasers who buy the car used are
aware of this fact. This plaque should not be merely a sticker, but something is
permanent, for instance a stamped impression into the door metal.
- Provide simple instructions for locating, disabling and/or removing
the OnStar module from its vehicles without cost to the consumer. If a kit would be required
for the removal thereof, it should be provided for a nominal fee not to exceed $100.
- Buy back any vehicle. that has been equipped with OnStar unbeknownst
to the purchaser, or take whatever steps are necessary to remove the device at no
cost to the customer upon presentation of the vehicle. and a proof of purchase to any GM dealer.
- Make freely available a full, complete and detailed summary of exactly
what information the OnStar service and any devices may compile about a customer, their vehicle's location, driving habits or other information as well as how and the conditions under which this
information is collected.
Until GM/OnStar address these concerns, this website will remain online to
ensure that the public is aware of the deception that is taking place.
Are There Other Boycott OnStar Websites, Or Sites That Provide Other Info Out There?
Glad you asked. There are plenty of websites that provide more
information on the use, abuse and misuse of OnStar. I have provided links to some of them
below. Not all of these sites encourage you to boycott OnStar, but they all provide interesting information about OnStar and similar products.
- Wherever You Go, There They Are - Provides information and commentary on various aspects of the OnStar service. Links to news articles and more.
- Progressive's Black Box - Information about the EDR used by Progressive to offer discounts to its customers in exchange for their driving habits.
- GM to Add OnStar to All Vehicles by 2007 - Its evitable, folks, Either you have OnStar, or you don't drive GM. An automobile is a very personal thing. Not everyone wants a moon roof, that's why its an option, Shouldn't OnStar be the same way?
- OnStar Commercial Parody - This is so funny, I couldn't resist leaving it out.
- Surveillance Society - Talks about OnStar and Cell Phones and privacy.
- OnStar + Verizon Join Forces - If your data isn't secure when only one company has it, its even less secure when two companies have it and swap it with all of their "carefully screened partners" not to mention the other companies they own. How many exactly is that?
- OnStar + GMAC Insurance Join Forces - You can always trust an insurance company to use your data only with your best interests at heart, right? OnStar is betting you are that stupid.
- OnStar to Push Ads to Drivers - Imagine this: As your fuel gauge nears empty and you begin searching for a gas station, a computerized voice takes over your car's stereo speakers and says, "The BP station at the corner of Second Avenue and Main Street has gasoline that is $1.43 per gallon, 8 cents cheaper than any other station within 5 miles." Sounds great, dosent it? No, not really. But GM executives think its a wonderful idea.
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