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Lexus To Start Spamming Car Buyers In Their Cars

techmuse writes "Lexus has announced plans to send targeted messages to buyers of its cars based on the buyer's zip code and vehicle type. Unlike regular spam, these messages will be delivered directly to the buyer's vehicle, and will play to the vehicle's occupants as audio. Lexus has promised to make the messages relevant to the car buyers." Imagine the fun that some targeted malware could do — not that such a thing could happen to a Lexus.

9 of 317 comments (clear)

  1. If these ads really are relevant to the buyer by Abstrackt · · Score: 5, Informative

    If these ads really are relevant to the buyer, my first and only ad would start with "To stop receiving this 'service'..."

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    They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
  2. Nobody read the article... by tompaulco · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...which states that drivers can decide whether or not to play the messages.
    On the plus side, even for those that do decide to listen to the messages, this will only last until the first time somebody has an accident while listening to the message.

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    If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
  3. Re:Stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The worst mistake I made when I bought my Lexus is that I gave the dealer my cell phone number. Now, I routinely get robo calls from Lexus, reminding about service, my birthday, customer appreciation events, etc... It drives me apoplectic! I have complained multiple times to no avail. It is mind boggling to me that such a quality oriented organization can so completely botch such a simple thing. They buy this new technology that allows them to reach out and annoy their customers and now they can't stop using it.
     

  4. Re:This is a great idea! by KDR_11k · · Score: 2, Informative

    Buying stocks when they're at rock bottom from companies that are likely to survive the depression can be a good way to reap massive profits. Some people became millionaires just by dealing with a recession correctly.

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    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  5. Re:Why, Lexus, Why? by Rary · · Score: 4, Informative

    I spend $60,000 for an automobile and now it will spam me while driving it?

    First of all, it's technically not spam, since you have to sign up to receive it (it's basically an audio newsletter). Second, it arrives in your inbox before you start driving, not while you're driving.

    I would never sign up for it, but it's not quite what TFS suggests it is (surprise, surprise).

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    "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein

  6. Re:Stupid by russotto · · Score: 2, Informative

    In my last job I wrote software to control variable message signs on freeways. A lot of effort was put into selecting the messages which are displayed on the principle that any message is a distraction from driving and must be justified if it is presented at all.

    Which was then over-ridden by higher-ups who make the signs say things like "Don't Drink and Drive", "Seat Belt Law Enforcement In Effect", or whatever other low-priority message they want to put up on them. (Yes, I'm talking to YOU, PennDOT)

  7. Re:Stupid by DriedClexler · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes, I understand they need to be visible, but you don't need to nearly blind every driver on the road to do that. How many people are killed from the distraction? I'm not just talking about lights on, but the kind that you can't ignore at all. Fortunately, they don't use those all the time.

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    Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
  8. Re:Stupid by Brianwa · · Score: 2, Informative

    Apparently the cops around here leave all the strobes on after they pull people over, even in the dead of night. I passed a cop, and saw the driver in front of me get distracted and almost hit a curb. On the way back past the same cop, I found myself almost mesmerized by the light. I ended up skidding part way into an intersection at a red light...

    Safety my ass.

  9. Re:Amazing by Stiletto · · Score: 2, Informative

    "dangerous shapes?" Are you kidding? The only people you have to worry about on your commute to work are people who drive dangerously. And these folks can be found in both $1000 pickup trucks and $100,000 Porsches. While the color red may annoy you it's not going to leap through your windshield. Get a grip!