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Ford Exec: 'We Know Everyone Who Breaks the Law' Thanks To Our GPS In Your Car

An anonymous reader sends this report from Business Insider: "[Ford VP Jim Farley] was trying to describe how much data Ford has on its customers, and illustrate the fact that the company uses very little of it in order to avoid raising privacy concerns: 'We know everyone who breaks the law, we know when you're doing it. We have GPS in your car, so we know what you're doing. By the way, we don't supply that data to anyone,' he told attendees. Rather, he said, he imagined a day when the data might be used anonymously and in aggregate to help other marketers with traffic related problems. Suppose a stadium is holding an event; knowing how much traffic is making its way toward the arena might help the venue change its parking lot resources accordingly, he said." Farley later realized how his statement sounded, and added, "We do not track our customers in their cars without their approval or consent."

9 of 599 comments (clear)

  1. Well by StripedCow · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess that's one way of getting yourself fired.

    --
    If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
    1. Re:Well by VortexCortex · · Score: 5, Funny

      Fired, you, def.: To be fucked. Screwed. Rendered destitute. Forced to sell everything of value and told you are a drain on the resources of society.

      Synonym: Married.

    2. Re:Well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      See also: Divorced.

    3. Re:Well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      nic-tate (verb): To steal a potato.

  2. Re:If I ever own a Ford.... by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 5, Funny

    The first thing I'll be doing is hunting around with ball-peen hammer for the GPS module.

    The end.

    Not if you have a spouse. [Annoyed grunt] They really don't care for principled economic losses (in this case, resale value). Ignorance-based losses (like not changing the oil) they're cool with. Principle, no.

    --
    I am not a crackpot.
  3. Re:Crime by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 3, Funny

    If Ford knows people are committing crimes, aren't they legally required to report it, otherwise they become an accessory..?

    All that's left now is to send the monthly fine statements to each owner.

    And to figure out how to use the three seashells.

    --
    I am not a crackpot.
  4. Umm... by anmre · · Score: 5, Funny

    Suppose a stadium is holding an event; knowing how much traffic is making its way toward the arena might help the venue change its parking lot resources accordingly, he said.

    ... or you could just count the number of tickets sold.

  5. Re:If I ever own a Ford.... by LF11 · · Score: 3, Funny

    How about accidental damage to the GPS unit as I am changing the oil?

  6. Re:Herpin' the Derp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or repairs daily.