GM seems to think that a couple extra bucks from sleazy Insurance Companies is worth more than their customer's good will. Ooooh kaaaay then.
Everyone, it seems, is posting about how OnStar® collects your location and speed data, which GM shares with the government and sells to other companies. OnStar® essentially is a spy tracking device in your car, with no way for you to opt out.
Except, of course, the OnStar® SpyTrackR™ is electronic. It needs power.
Security ProTip: if you unplug the power to the OnStar® SpyTrackR™ it won't spy on you. ASM826 shows you how to do it. Looks like it will take you 15 minutes, with basic tools.
Hack your car. You'll be glad you did.
I've got a better solution: Don't buy *ANYTHING* from GM.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you have a GM, sell it.
Jay,
ReplyDeleteThat was my first advice. Don't own GM. But like being stuck in Massachusetts, some people are stuck with a GM car.
ASM
and begin countdown to federal legislation making it a felony to disconnect power from Onstar and other on-board GPS tracking systems, with exemptions for law enforcement and legislators, at T-minus...
ReplyDeletedeadcenter stole my thunder.
ReplyDeleteLike the laws that make using a seatbelt mandatory instead of a good idea, or disconnecting all of the environmental equipment on your car, I can easily see some dimbulb making disconnecting On-Star illegal.
It sure would save the government money in having to sneak into the driveway to glue something to the inside of the fender, wouldn't it? We're all for public safety and fiscal responsibility, aren't we?
My preferred method of hacking this would be literal - take it out of the car and "hack" it with an axe.
ReplyDeleteResale value doesn't really concern me all that much. I'd rather drive it until it stops.
Glad I have a Ford...until we find out about the Secret Ford Thingy...
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jake. When I first heard about this, I thought "I have a battery powered drill". I have a variety of metalworking saws and other tools. I can make enough holes that I can guarantee I'm going to break something.
ReplyDeleteDo you really want to make me?
Hmmm ... what caliber for OnStar®?
ReplyDeletePull the 10amp fuse, OnStar all gone. You can get your bluetooth cell link back with aftermarket bits. Service manuals are your friend, why don't you have one for your car?
ReplyDeleteUnplugging the module is more than you have to do.
What's the procedure to disable SYNC? C'mon Ford guys! Waiting...