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2015 Corvette Valet Mode Recorder Illegal In Some States
innocent_white_lamb writes: The 2015 Corvette has a Valet Mode that records audio and video when someone other than the owner is driving the car. Activating the Valet Mode allows you to record front-facing video as well as capture audio from within the car so you can help keep your Corvette safe when it's in the hands of others. Well, it turns out that recording audio from within the car may be considered a felony in some states that require notice and consent to individuals that they are being recorded. Now GM is sending notices out to dealerships and customers alerting them to this fact as well as promising a future update to the PDR system.
The problem here is recording audio. In the states where this isn't permitted, it is considered "Wire tapping" since it is "intercepting communication". These are called "all party states", where everyone has to give consent.
You are, however, free to record just video.
"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
Valet mode also locks storage compartments, and disables the stereo. corvette commercial hawking the feature
Doubtful. Walk into most gas stations or any major retail store and you're under video surveillance and their notification amounts to a sticker on the window of the door or on the wall as you enter the building. If there's a notification on the visor, that would be sufficient in my opinion. Those are about as non-intrusive as it gets so why should a car be held to higher standards?
At least in my state (MI), video surveillance does not need any notification where there's no reasonable expectation of privacy, but audio requires consent if you are not a party to the conversation.