Ford Motors = Big Brother?

[LongBlade]

They are quick to point out that they don't share this info with anyone (besides the NSA can geolocate you by your phone any time they want), but there does seem to be room for potential abuse.

"We know everyone who breaks the law, we know when you're doing it," Ford Vice-President Jim Farley told a crowd in Las Vegas during the show. "We have GPS in your car, so we know what you're doing."

The global marketing and sales division chief was trying to make a larger point about the amount of real-time data Ford has on drivers that could be used in the future to alleviate problems like traffic congestion.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2014/01/10/ford-we-have-gps-in-your-car-so-we-know-what-youre-doing/#ixzz2q2sMOXdo

[Staggerwing]

Moters?

[Steelgrave]

Disturbing but not surprising. Simply knowing they are doing this means that sooner or later (if it hasn't happened already) law enforcement will push them for gps data in a case, going after a subpoena if needed. And just wait until the insurance companies start making such info mandatory.

[Staggerwing]

Doesn't Flo the Progressive Girl already offer drivers a widget that they can plug into their car and prove they are safe drivers, thus getting a discount? It's only a short hop to having insurance companies making driver 'black boxes' mandatory to keeping your coverage, and also either jacking up your premiums or even dropping you if the telemetry shows less than ideal client risk data.

[Steelgrave]

Yeah, and USAA just rolled them out. I'm with you....at some point in the near future, it will no longer be a choice for consumers.

[Centurion40]

And your car will be able to drive itself, which will work out well for us old gaffers.

[BanzaiCat]

Any car with OnStar installed can be tracked, whether or not you choose to subscribe to them. So it makes perfect sense that this is happening.

And if cars can drive themselves, then great. Then I won't have to sweat the morons driving too slow in the left lanes, or dummies that don't use turn signals. I can just take a nap and let Otto Pilot take over.

[LongBlade]

Moters?

OK, I'm an idiot.

[LongBlade]

Doesn't Flo the Progressive Girl already offer drivers a widget that they can plug into their car and prove they are safe drivers, thus getting a discount? It's only a short hop to having insurance companies making driver 'black boxes' mandatory to keeping your coverage, and also either jacking up your premiums or even dropping you if the telemetry shows less than ideal client risk data.

The strategy, I think, is going to be more subtle.

Who needs the biggest pricing break? Young drivers.

They'll adopt the black box for a discount.

The only way it won't work is if enough people don't adopt the black box or only poor drivers who are in accidents adopt it.

Personally, I have no intention of installing a black box. I'm an extremely safe driver - but I value my privacy more than a handful of dollars.

[bayonetbrant]

OK, I'm an idiot.

[Gusington]

^I hate that columnist. He's so femme.

[Staggerwing]

It's not his fault- his parents sent him off to film school at too young an age.

[Sir Slash]

In Russia you no drive car-- car drives you. Coming here soon. ;D