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California Protects Black-Box Data Privacy
Snowgen writes "According to a story at SFGate.com, California has recently passed a law regulating the little black boxes found in many modern automobiles. The new law requires that manufacturers disclose the existence of such boxes in the vehicle's operators' manual. The law also prohibits the use of data from such boxes without a court order or the permission of the vehicle's owner, unless the data is used in such a way that it can not be traced back to the owner."
For those interested, here is a link to the text of Assembly Bill 213, sponsored by Assemblyman Tim Leslie:
CA Assembly Bill 213
The recording is made in a constant 5 second loop to normal RAM. As soon as an airbag deployment event (or "near deployment" - whatever that means) occurs that 5 seconds of RAM data is copied to non-volatile write-once RAM. That is why you need to replace your SDM (Sensing Diagnostic Module) after the air bags have been deployed.
Check:w ww.accidentreconstruction.com/research/edr /faq.asp
http://slate.msn.com/id/2087207/
http://
They use the OBD-II interface (Same interface the DEQ guys use to make sure your car isn't pumping out too many noxious fumes.) 5 seconds of data are stored in an EEPROM.
The new law requires that manufacturers disclose the existence of such boxes in the vehicle's operators' manual.
Great idea. People should know that there's a balck box in their car. Maybe they'll think twice about that reckeless maneuver their going to pull.
A previous poster mentioned dupe, this is not. The previous article mentioned how someone was convicted of killing somone 'cause they decided to do ~100 mph down a 25mph resedential street.
Hypothetical future dialog: "Hey son, I trust you and all, but be aware that fi you do try to show off to your prom date tonight, and maybe, umm I dunno, kill someone while your at it, that blackbox recorder could put you away for a long time. Here are the keys, by the way."
Maybe some of this info could also be used to help prosecute people who stage accidents for insurance fruad. I get so sick of seeing these thigs happening. 6 people all loaded up in 2 cars, they bump at 10mph, cry neck and back pain, but they have no idead who they are sitting next to in the same vehicle!
My understanding is that they are quickly becoming an intrigal part of the on-board computer. If that's true then removal might not be very safe and would definitely void your warranty....
And what's more important, does the manual explain how to turn the system off? And is the system tied in with some critical safety system such as airbags, so that turning off the system will possibly be illegal or at the very least unsafe? I'd like to see the law say that drivers have the option to turn this unit off without compromising vehicle safety features.
If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
see: US Code Title 15, Chapter 60, sections 2301-2312
I've been making modifications to my vehicles for years, and never had warranty claims problems on other ares of the vehicle. I've completely replaced the *entire* computer on my ducati and it's still covered. The new computer is not, but the rest of the bike that the manufacturer provided is.
Revolutions are never about freedom or justice. They're about who's going to be top dog. -- Kilgore Trout
However, the car is my private property, and the contents of the computer are not readily accesible to observers (who are not breaking the law). Just as in my home, searching the computer in my car should be protected by the 4th Amendment.
It's not like law enforcement CANT get a court order when necessary. It will just discourage them from routinely snooping where it's not warrented.
Want to search my home? get a warrent. Want to search my computer? do the same. If you don't have justification, you won't get a court to allow it. In the case of a high speed crash, I don't see the court having a problem with issuing a warrant.
Driving may not be a right, but freedom from unwarranted search and seizure still is, as far as I'm aware.
"Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump