Post by Police Moderator on May 27, 2013 7:36:48 GMT -5
Privacy advocates wary of push to mandate auto 'black boxes'
By Dave Larsen
Dayton Daily News
Posted: 05/24/2013
By Dave Larsen
Dayton Daily News
Posted: 05/24/2013
The increasing computerization of cars allows them to capture and transmit data that can help improve highway and driver safety, federal officials said.
But the technology also raises privacy concerns about the ownership and unintended uses of that data, experts said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking a law that would require automakers to install "black boxes" in every new car and light truck sold starting September 2014. But unbeknownst to their owners, many vehicles already carry event data recorders, or EDRs. The NHTSA estimates that about 96 percent of all 2013 vehicles have the devices.
The recorders, typically triggered by a crash or air bag deployment, can produce data generated shortly before and during a crash, including vehicle speed, whether the brake was used and whether the driver's seat belt was buckled. The device records data from a variety of vehicle sensors and typically is attached to the floor.
Read more: mercury news
Dave, dude, no 'Black box' transmits 'data.' None of it is read, or accessible, in real time. Even if it was, it could not be obtained without meeting certain, and stringent, Constitutional guidelines. As it should be.
I read some of the Facebook comments on this topic and I realized why we are stuck with President Obama [And his crooked administration; at least until they are indicted, or impeached, for violating sacred (And very real) Constitutional rights of those that disagree with them.]
That is because these people can vote. Don't worry, folks.... Darwin was right and we'll probably be shed of these type voters, or a candidate to vote for, by 2014.
'Black boxes' violate no one's Constitutional rights. All owners of vehicles equipped with this technology are explicitly advised, in writing, that their vehicle will record certain crash data if they are involved in a crash severe enough to deploy, or nearly deploy, their airbags.
They just need to read the OWNER'S MANUAL. Pretty simple.
Law enforcement may not 'image' said recorded crash data without informed consent from the owner, or, without a valid search warrant. Be careful as if you've filed an insurance claim on your crash, the insurance company may own your car and can give consent to LE.
Airbag Control Modules (ACMs) or Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) do not time stamp/date stamp the crash data, nor is it possible for anyone to 'read' said data until after you've crashed, or nearly crashed. And only with your consent, or with a duly sworn to search warrant.
ACMS and PCMs do not have GPS capabilities and are merely simple accelerometers designed to decide (In milliseconds) whether to deploy your airbags, or not, based on changes in velocity, over time, being impacted on your car, and, soon thereafter, the occupants of your car.
Now, if you have OnStar®, and you actually read your OWNER'S MANUAL, you'll know that if your airbags deploy, the evil government/LE will be notified that you have crashed, will immediately notify the evil government paramedics and traffic cops, and will begin recording audio of the inside of your car. That information is also recoverable, but only with your consent, or with a valid search warrant.
What I find extremely funny is the Facebook comment from the dude who, after reading this article, went out and rendered his ACM/PCM inoperable with a sharp object. I bet he is wondering why the little red icon (Curiously shaped like an airbag deploying in the act of saving the occupant's life) is 'On' and therefore; not ready to protect him from himself. (If he had read his OWNER'S MANUAL he would have learned that this means his air bag system is no longer working and he should have it checked.)
I figure he'll ignore it, trump it up to another evil/LE/Tea Party/Sarah Palin government conspiracy and in the last second of his non-airbag system protected life, will wish he'd read his OWNER'S MANUAL. This as his head is physically shoved right (Or, left!) up his ass as he is ejected, via the vent window of his new Hybrid car.
I'll further presume that he thinks the seat belt laws are also unconstitutional and has refused, as a protest against his President's government, to wear one. Since he probably drives with his head up his ass anyway (Evidenced by his voting with his head up his ass, last fall) this will not be a new experience for him.
I went out, on the internets, and obtained a $50,000 life insurance policy, with me as a beneficiary, on his life. That's the most I could get based on me knowing only the information he posted on his Facebook profile that he willingly put out there for me, and the evil government, to use to our benefit. I estimate that between Obamacare, Darwin, the IRS and the fact he probably works for the AP, plus his obviously low 1 digit IQ, I should be $50,000 richer before the year is out.
