[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

At first - I was very nervous when I read the title and the first few posts...I even sent a message off that I now regret. After digging *just a little* deeper...

Here's how I read it...fwiw...translation in blue



Detailed below, we're letting you know that the two-way data connection with your car will be in operation, even if you unsubscribe to our services. But if you'd like us to not do that - please call and we'll honor your request. If you're wearing a tin-foil hat, and check the sky for surveillance satellites every night before bed; your dealer can even rip out the physical OnStar system to ensure your stress levels remain at a healthy level.

.........As we mentioned, we'll reserve the right to collect data from your car for the following purposes. We may collect call/report/usage data from you to improve our services. If asked we'll share information such as current location, etc to law enforcement...but we're not going to go out of our way to "tell on you". If you owe us money, we may share your information with the credit card companies, and perhaps use compiled data such as total miles traveled in your model of car or number of OnStar calls in a year with our marketing partners (like GM, duh!) to better spread the word about OnStar in this increasingly competitive Industry of In-Vehicle safety telematics.


I don't see a huge issue to be frank.

Yes, there are now clear and explicit additions to the ways they're going to use your driving data. And they've changed the UNSUBSCRIBE default to "on" for their data logging...basically adding an extra step to get them to go blind.

But you see that? One more step taken -- and they're still blind, just like before. No credit card processors...no joint marketing initiatives...and never, not even if they're still monitoring, insurance companies. I didn't see them mentioned...

What I read was a lot of explanation for a small change.


EDIT: For those still worried - I recommend you put the above amendment in context and read the whole privacy statement: http://www.onstar.com/web/portal/privacy

I agree with you 99.9%. See colorful text for comments...

I believe that Onstar is a huge money pit for GM. They need to turn this program around, at least on the books. GM will never dump it... they jumped in with both feet (and actually thought it was the future).

So... making the default to [on] and selling that information to insurance companies (some already offer discounts if you let them monitor your driving) could very well turn that program into a profit maker, instead of a sink hole. Regarding the statement, they would be stupid to mention "insurance companies" directly... it is brutal enough to read, and they used language that incorporates them.

Here's where I'll suprise you... I think GM has every right, as do the insurance companies. The disclosure today was a bit jaw dropping, but after thoroughly thought thru... GM has to turn this program around and insurance companies are going to do what they have to, to rate their customers accurately.

I have my dislikes for the whole situation... one of those being that this may end up biting them in the end. This does turn some people off, and it may just cost them sales (& there are a lot of other options on the market). For example, it might not be something a Lindsey Lohan looks for in a car/ankle braclet.

The only other dislike is... if I did want to turn it off or "make them blind", I have to have the system physically removed from my car, at my inconvenience. If the glass people (safelight repair / safelight replace) can come to your car to fix your windshield, GM can sure as well come take their monitoring stuff outta my car.

Either way... phew glad that is over!