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Aviation Instruments Encrypt Engine-Monitor Data

Posted by timothy on from the must-be-in-the-public-interest dept.

kitplane01 writes "Airplanes engines need to always work, and are monitored by engine monitors. JP Instruments' engine-monitor units have begun to encrypt the data output of its monitors so it can't be read by third-party software. Whether this is to protect itself liability-wise or to discourage competitors is unclear. It seems the company is working on a fix, which may require a fee from users to translate the file format."

2 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. It sounds like... by uberdave · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It sounds like propriety lock-in to me. There is no other reason to encrypt diagnostic data.

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    "I'm not impatient. I just hate waiting." - My Dad
  2. Re:Also the Gemini: by VidEdit · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It would seem that JPI is using data integrity as an excuse for DMCA lock in. All they really need for integrity is a signature. Since their are federal regulations about engine overhauls for aircraft, I would think that there is a state interest in the data being accessible, but signed. This is a clear case of the miss-use of encryption.

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