[MiamiBlueCamaro]

Originally Posted by gw6211

nice looking camaro, is that the 2018? They are hacking a tesla, you drive a camaro. You would have a better chance and a lightning strike.

Isle 4 at the Safeway buddy......aluminum foil. On the back of the box it even shows you how to make a hat out of aluminum foil.

..........

[sub_ETCS_ret]

Originally Posted by irmb

I can't believe people are debating whether or not someone has the right to remove a tracking device from their car.

1) it's their car

2) it's there choice - or atleast should be

End of discussion

+1

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[cellsafemode]

Originally Posted by MiamiBlueCamaro

..........

This. It's not just opting out of another vendor selling your information they collect. It's closing down a vector that can be used to remote hack your car

(something that _DID_ get exposed to GM and they took 5 years to fix it because those that told them were white hat researchers and the flaw never made it out in the wild).

i dont want my drivetrain connected to the internet. Automotive security is bad enough without having to add corporate security of customer data. Simple as that.

[bbrown450]

That does not surprise me as it is insurance ...of sorts

Originally Posted by laborsmith

Impulsive or impressive? For many years OnStar has been the most profitable GM Division, and may even still be.

Laborsmith

[90503]

Millions and millions of cars on the road without ON-Star.

How is it they have successfully avoided disaster up to this point?

They have marketed it brilliantly. Ironically, the "paranoia" is self-created with the fear of not having it.

[laborsmith]

OnStar is used by many vehicle makers not just GM and I believe Ford has its own version but I don't follow Ford so I could be wrong.

Laborsmith

[Number 3]

A few points.

First, the OP said his brother was irate. This is beyond silly. He went into a dealership and asked them to remove his seat belts and airbag. They are not going to remove a safety device. The liability is beyond ridiculous for that dealer. Even to tell him how to do it makes them liable. And it has ZERO to do with whether he owns the car or not.

If you want to remove it, remove. I can assure you GM isn't spying on you. The very first case (non criminal without a warrant) where GM or anyone is accused of spying or selling data will be the last day of OnStar. It would shut it down almost instantly. As pointed out, GM makes money with it and this would end it.

When I worked for GM and tried to use OnStar to collect data on customer usage in order to improve our testing procedures, I was told quite clearly that the data is available, but it is not associated with a customer or specific car. GM was very clear on this when they launched the Volt. You can look it up yourselves. GM is not spying.

Now your insurance company may offer a discount to let THEM spy, but that 10% discount letter gets thrown away. If you don't authorize it, the data does not get used in any secret way.

Now the on board data recorder? Different story. That records the last few seconds of throttle, brake, steering angel, speed etc. That is government mandated. For those that are street racing you might want to more concerned about that bad boy than OnStar.

Me? I've had it since the beginning. Love the service and love what it provides and like anything else, it isn't for everybody. But I know puppies won't die if I don't have it.

Also, pretty much every other OEM now offers some level of connectivity standard or optional.

Oh and did you know if you get a CEL, you can call OnStar and they can tell you what it is?

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by irmb

go back and read the comments. the op was called paranoid - was suggested he had something to hide and suggested he was illegally street racing.

So ya - people acted pretty uncivil towards a person simply wanting to remove a device from their car.

I'm glad you like your onstar. I'd be interested in hearing what you like about it - I havent found any value in mine.

Great, so we're in agreement that no one claimed the person didn't have the right to remove it.

I like OnStar due to the remote lock/unlock, cell phone status check, remote start from the phone, it's ability to find my car if stolen, and the fact that it almost certainly saved my grandmothers life as she was having a heart attack in a Costco parking lot.

If people are being uncivil, the most useless thing on the planet is to match that civility level. It just makes everyone look like a herp-a-derp.

[irmb]

Originally Posted by Number 3

A few points.

First, the OP said his brother was irate. This is beyond silly. He went into a dealership and asked them to remove his seat belts and airbag. They are not going to remove a safety device. The liability is beyond ridiculous for that dealer. Even to tell him how to do it makes them liable. And it has ZERO to do with whether he owns the car or not.

If you want to remove it, remove. I can assure you GM isn't spying on you. The very first case (non criminal without a warrant) where GM or anyone is accused of spying or selling data will be the last day of OnStar. It would shut it down almost instantly. As pointed out, GM makes money with it and this would end it.

When I worked for GM and tried to use OnStar to collect data on customer usage in order to improve our testing procedures, I was told quite clearly that the data is available, but it is not associated with a customer or specific car. GM was very clear on this when they launched the Volt. You can look it up yourselves. GM is not spying.

Now your insurance company may offer a discount to let THEM spy, but that 10% discount letter gets thrown away. If you don't authorize it, the data does not get used in any secret way.

Now the on board data recorder? Different story. That records the last few seconds of throttle, brake, steering angel, speed etc. That is government mandated. For those that are street racing you might want to more concerned about that bad boy than OnStar.

Me? I've had it since the beginning. Love the service and love what it provides and like anything else, it isn't for everybody. But I know puppies won't die if I don't have it.

Also, pretty much every other OEM now offers some level of connectivity standard or optional.

Oh and did you know if you get a CEL, you can call OnStar and they can tell you what it is?

I still want to know what people like about onstar. Honest question.

[Whis]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

It just makes everyone look like a herp-a-derp.

I found a great site for you: www.reddit.com

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by Whis

I found a great site for you: www.reddit.com

Man, you are a sharp one, just cant dull that edge!

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by irmb

I still want to know what people like about onstar. Honest question.

Probably nothing to any member here, because we are enthusiasts. However to the other 99pct of the general public that treat their car like transportation or an appliance, some people like to be linked to concierge, help, roadside assistance, etc. etc. but on a forum you're not gonna get anybody that likes it.

I don't mind it , but it's too expensive for the value that I attach to it.

[fastball]

I will reiterate this so some of you aren't convinced everyone who wants OnStar removed keeps a collection of various sizes of tin foil hats in their closet......

I pay $60.00/month for my iPhone. Why on earth would I want to spend more money for the same thing? So what if it can't call for assistance in an accident, remote start my car, or follow it if stolen? I have never had that in my life. It's not going to alter my life if I still don't.

It really doesn't make sense in the year 2016. In 1998 yes of course because there was no Bluetooth and cell phones weren't all that to begin with.

Bluetooth and CarPlay have rendered OnStar a dinosaur!

But it's 2016. My iPhone makes OnStar and any other similar device with other manufacturers moot and obsolete. GM does a great job making you believe you need it or will die, though.

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Probably nothing to any member here, because we are enthusiasts. However to the other 99pct of the general public that treat their car like transportation or an appliance, some people like to be linked to concierge, help, roadside assistance, etc. etc. but on a forum you're not gonna get anybody that likes it.

I don't mind it , but it's too expensive for the value that I attach to it.

Every night before I leave work when it's -10 out, I will love hitting that button on the phone from my desk. Honestly, that aspect alone is worth it to me for winter.