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OnStar Considered Harmful

Posted by timothy on from the go-ahead-we're-listening dept.

Frisky070802 writes "A few weeks ago Slashdot ran an article on the privacy issues in EzPass. Some of the comments referred to other things Big Brother could do with GPS in cars, and now the New York Times has run a column on what else your car is saying about you (free registration req'd). From the article: 'Aviel D. Rubin, the technical director of the Information Security Institute at Johns Hopkins University, said that every new technology with the potential to invade privacy was introduced with pledges that it would be used responsibly. But over time, he said, the desire of law enforcement and business to use the data overtook the early promises. "The only way to get real privacy," he said, "is not to collect the information in the first place."'"

6 of 480 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Anything can be abused by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you're that paranoid, don't install anything trackable in your car.

    Does that include a license plate?

  2. Re:The usual. by Angus+Prune · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I imagine your likely to be someone who wouldn't raise suspician. There are allot of people who could be seen as suspect. From anyone with a muslim sounding name to the guy who went on an anti-war march to some poor guy on holiday in africa who gets mistaken for a wanted fraudster. As soon as the data is collected we have no control over it. I get worried when I have no say in who knows more about myself than I do.

  3. Re:Anything can be abused by leonardluen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    does anyone else see the irony in a registration required article preaching against the invasion of privacy of another device that can track people?

  4. Re:"Real privacy"? by cfuse · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Unfortunately, it'll require that the government be more disciplined, and the citizens will have to ditch the attitude that the gov't is out to get them.

    Two things that will happen shortly after hell freezes over.

    Seriously, I expect my elected officials to abuse any and all surveillance methods available to them. They do so already (ie echelon, et al.), why is this any different?

  5. Re:"Real privacy"? by lone_marauder · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think there's middle ground, especially when the cost of that freedom is the saving of human life.

    I don't know about you, but I am tired of being held hostage by the words "If it could save just one life, it would be worth it."

    Well, no, actually, it wouldn't. The idea of freedom, as it exists (however tenuously) in the United States, came about as a result of those willing to die for that freedom. I consider that principle one of the more noble and valuable in human history, and choose to reflect that in my own life, even if it affects my personal safety.

    --
    who are those slashdot people? they swept over like Mongol-Tartars.
  6. Re:Cool! by Detritus · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Be aware there is a difference between a bad driver and somebody that dries well but above the posted artificialy low limits.

    The difference is rationalization.

    Most people believe that they are "better than average" drivers, even if they have no evidence to support that belief. That's just human nature.

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat