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Hertz Puts Cameras In Its Rental Cars, Says It Has No Plans To Use Them

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-see-you-with dept.

schwit1 writes Hertz has added a camera to many of its newer cars that uses the "NeverLost" navigational device. So why is Hertz creeping out customers with cameras it's not using? "Hertz added the camera as a feature of the NeverLost 6 in the event it was decided, in the future, to activate live agent connectivity to customers by video. In that plan the customer would have needed to turn on the camera by pushing a button (while stationary)," Hertz spokesperson Evelin Imperatrice explained. "The camera feature has not been launched, cannot be operated and we have no current plans to do so."

14 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Why don't i believe them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "The camera feature has not been launched, cannot be operated and we have no current plans to do so."

    So we're to believe hertz put the cameras there for no reason other than to hurt their business by scaring away customers, because may be someday they may want them?

    1. Re:Why don't i believe them by meerling · · Score: 4, Insightful

      And at a huge cost. There's no way they did that without planning on using them for something, and that something wouldn't be a vague might happen kind of thing either, but a concrete we "need" this from the higher ups.

    2. Re:Why don't i believe them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I for one lost my blind trust of the american corporation years ago. but good for you its nice to see some haven't

    3. Re:Why don't i believe them by BronsCon · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That was my initial thought. Hertz isn't a TLA government agency, so why the conspiracy theories from everyone? Glad to see some people here still have a level head.

      --
      APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
    4. Re:Why don't i believe them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's not a conspiracy to be put off by someone installing a camera in a space that one typically expects a degree of privacy.

    5. Re:Why don't i believe them by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 3, Insightful

      When planning a project or choosing a strategy, risk must be assessed. Risks come as both threats and opportunities.

      You can handle a threat in many ways: Avoid, by taking actions which do not allow for that particular risk; Mitigate, by taking actions which minimize the probability or severity of the risk; Transfer, by purchasing insurance to cover the risk; or Accept, by budgeting for the risk. You can similarly handle an opportunity: Exploit, by taking actions to 100% guarantee that particular risk will occur; Enhance, by taking actions to increase the probability that the risk will occur; Share, by taking actions with a third-party that increase probability of the risk occurring, but share the benefit with another party (lottery pool); or Accept, by doing nothing and hoping it happens.

      With many plans on the table, you often have to select which risks to accept in exchange for opportunities to enhance. Adding extra, unused hardware for a possible future strategy can save you from missing out on that strategy, or from higher expenses to add the hardware later.

      --
      Support my political activism on Patreon.
  2. Duct tape by Peter+Simpson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Handyman's Secret Weapon.

    1. Re:Duct tape by prattle · · Score: 3, Insightful

      What do you do about the microphone?

      --
      "We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different!" -- Kurt Vonnegut
    2. Re:Duct tape by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Realize you have no control over it. You don't know where "the" microphone is, whether it is active, nor how many there are. And you never will.

  3. No plans ... by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You don't do something unless you have plans to use it. I call bullshit.

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    1. Re:No plans ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The Internet says Hertz keeps cars for an average of 18 months.
      So installing these things only makes sense if they have plans to use them within that timeframe.

    2. Re:No plans ... by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You don't do something unless you have plans to use it. I call bullshit.

      No necessarily true. If you are investing in hardware for a fleet, some future proofing can make sense even if you don't have a specific use in mind.

  4. Way too much credit by monkeyxpress · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Even if someone higher up at Hertz had a devious plan to install these cameras into every vehicle and covertly film all their customers, there is no way in hell that any rental car company I know of could implement such a system. Most of the time they can barely get you the car you supposedly booked for the price you were quoted. I once got stuck in a huge mismanaged queue at Avis for an hour and when I finally got to the front they told me a car was not available. When I said I had booked one so how could this be, the customer service person informed me that I was half an hour late so if I wanted to ensure I got a car I should turn up on time.

    I also have no idea why my collecting a car I have booked requires so much typing on their behalf. It is like they are writing a short dissertation on me, every time I rent a car. Surely if I rent another car the same month the amount of typing can be reduced. I have caught a glimpse of their green character based IT terminals and I am pretty certain there is no secret skunk works at Hertz HQ working on anything other than more confusing ways to charge collision damage waivers.

  5. Re:As if we needed another reason to not use Hertz by Obfuscant · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Not like there aren't competitors, who I avail myself of at all times.

    The car rental universe is going the way of broadband internet, don't you know? There are three major companies now operating under several names each. Like:

    - Avis owns Budget and Zipcar

    - Hertz owns Advantage, Dollar and Thrifty

    - Enterprise owns Alamo and National

    All told, these three companies own 94% of the car rental industry in America.

    If you want to avoid one company, you need to know all the players and who they play for.