Rental Car Companies Watching By Satellite, Again

tlcruiser writes: "The Arizona Daily Star reports that Budget Rent-A-Car companies in Arizona have used satellite tracking systems to track customers' use without notifying customers. They have used the tracking system to issue fines to their customers. Several customers are suing Budget for the invasion of privacy." When ACME Rent-a-Car did this in Connecticut, it was found improper by that state's Department of Consumer Protection. This time, the monitoring is not only of speed, but also of whether renters are staying within contractually allowed driving territories.

Comments

Re:this is unfortunate

[SpatchMonkey]

That is an excellent point, I hope someone mods you up for it.

Another thing you probably noticed is that however unfortunate this licensing model is, it is better than the alternative. Take Linux and Windows - to extend your analogy further, Linux is the car equivalent of smashing in your neighbour's car windows with a brick, hotwiring it and using it to clock up many miles. And then not paying him a cent, even when he complains. This is despite the fact that the car would frequently break down.

Whereas when you license the Windows car, it comfortably works just how you'd expect, only with a few minor limitations, like not driving to neighbouring states. And you can drive secure in the knowledge that you fully reimbursed the company for their service.

Re:This is here to stay -- and that's a good thing

[acceleriter]

Knowing this, fewer customers will speed or drive out of area, reducing rental rates (rental agencies would like to simply pocket the profits from safer driving, but since so much competition exists in the industry prices in most mid-sized or larger areas will probably fall).

Umm, yeah. Because there's no collusion at all in industry, and the stiff competition among rental car companies will result in rock bottom airline counter rates. And the Slashdot fairy is going to leave some karma under my bed tonight.

Beautiful troll, though--props for that.