N.D. Debates Black Box Privacy Safeguards
"The bill Holmberg is sponsoring — now up for Senate consideration after being approved Wednesday by the House — would require buyers to be told if their new car or truck is equipped with a black box and would prohibit the data from being used in court. Subscription services such as OnStar, which can be used to track a vehicle's movements, would be exempt."I'm all for this bill. You should have the option to either use one or not.
The liberals will say "If you're doing nothing wrong, what do you have to hide?"
That isn't the point. The point is that you don't have the choice.
"According to the National Highway Transportation Administration, about 15 percent of vehicles — or about 30 million cars and trucks — have black boxes. About 65 percent to 90 percent of 2004 cars and trucks have them, according to the NHTA."Yes, about 15% of vehicles. What they don't mention here is, that 15% includes any vehicle manufactured from day one. Vehicles have had these things in since the 90's. In fact, most domestic cars and trucks have them factory installed. So if you bought a domestic vehicle anytime since the early to mid nineties, you probably have a black box or 'Event Data Recorder' which is keeping tabs on you.
Some thoughts on black boxes:
- What if your local gustappo will be able to write you a speeding ticket without even catching you red-handed.
- You may have to go to the DMV once a year to download your year's worth of data and they could grant or refuse your driver's license based on your driving habits for the last year.
- The law requires you to have insurance on your car. What if the insurance company declines you based on your driving habits, or because you don't want to release your black box data?
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