Adding On Star to our cars?
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Magee MS
Adding On Star to our cars? I was wondering if I could get a kit from the company and add the on star system to my car?
I was just thinking that it would be really cool to have it.
Josh S.
I was just thinking that it would be really cool to have it.
Josh S.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by minivette
Why would you want someone to know your every movement? ability to read codes from your PCM? However, back to the topic, I don't know of a retro fit for F-Bodies.
OnStar was pretty handy for my wife when she locked her keys in the car one time. However, there is no retrofit kit available yet and besides, the annual subscription is quite expensive.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Originally Posted by minivette
A little naive are we? 
Someone needs to do a little reading up on the subject.
Someone needs to do a little reading up on the subject. Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by minivette
A little naive are we? Someone needs to do a little reading up on the subject.
Someone needs to do a little reading up on the subject.
Except in the case of air bag deployment, they have to get the owner's permission or a court order/warrant to use any of the tracking capabilities. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is merely an urban legend.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Atlanta, GA
Just buy a cellphone and keep it in the car (deactivated), then you can dial 911 for free.
the feds can already track you, and a search warrant? Thats when they are gonna bust ya, they can track ya all day long b4 that
"Sir..we got one running hacked ecm code to remove the cats, lets follow him for a day or two, check under the car while he's asleep, get a warrant from onstar, then throw im the pen for modification of emissions control device on a public road."
oh wait, thats obd-3
lol
the feds can already track you, and a search warrant? Thats when they are gonna bust ya, they can track ya all day long b4 that
"Sir..we got one running hacked ecm code to remove the cats, lets follow him for a day or two, check under the car while he's asleep, get a warrant from onstar, then throw im the pen for modification of emissions control device on a public road."
oh wait, thats obd-3
lol
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From: Austin, Tx.
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
I am well aware that they have the capability of tracking an OnStar vehicle's location but do you really think that you are important enough that they would keep a special eye on you out of all their customers?
Except in the case of air bag deployment, they have to get the owner's permission or a court order/warrant to use any of the tracking capabilities. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is merely an urban legend.
Except in the case of air bag deployment, they have to get the owner's permission or a court order/warrant to use any of the tracking capabilities. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is merely an urban legend.
http://news.com.com/2100-1029_3-5109435.html
What makes you think they don't keep track of everyone? Have you read your privacy statement from OnStar yet? Get informed.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by minivette
Look here Einstein, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just reversed a judges decision that let the FBI eavesdrop on conversations inside cars that had OnStar.
http://news.com.com/2100-1029_3-5109435.html
What makes you think they don't keep track of everyone? Have you read your privacy statement from OnStar yet? Get informed.
http://news.com.com/2100-1029_3-5109435.html
What makes you think they don't keep track of everyone? Have you read your privacy statement from OnStar yet? Get informed.
Your news article strengthens my point - they can't eavesdrop on conversations in an OnStar vehicle even with a warrant (which they had obtained in the case in question).
OnStar's privacy policy clearly states that they can't (actually don't) track a vehicle's location until you activate by pushing the button (i.e. give your permission), the airbags deploy (as stated above) or you report it stolen (i.e. give your permission).
Get a life man - there are plenty of real threats to worry about without inventing new ones.
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From: Austin, Tx.
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Sorry, this started as a little kidding but I don't have time to waste on paranoid fools. After this post I will not be following this thread.
Your news article strengthens my point - they can't eavesdrop on conversations in an OnStar vehicle even with a warrant (which they had obtained in the case in question).
OnStar's privacy policy clearly states that they can't (actually don't) track a vehicle's location until you activate by pushing the button (i.e. give your permission), the airbags deploy (as stated above) or you report it stolen (i.e. give your permission).
Get a life man - there are plenty of real threats to worry about without inventing new ones.
Your news article strengthens my point - they can't eavesdrop on conversations in an OnStar vehicle even with a warrant (which they had obtained in the case in question).
OnStar's privacy policy clearly states that they can't (actually don't) track a vehicle's location until you activate by pushing the button (i.e. give your permission), the airbags deploy (as stated above) or you report it stolen (i.e. give your permission).
Get a life man - there are plenty of real threats to worry about without inventing new ones.
As far as OnStar's privacy policy, I guess by your ignorant statement you have not read it. Here's a small excerpt.
As you use our services, we gather personal information to improve our services. You don't want your personal information to fall into the wrong hands. Neither does OnStar.
When you use the OnStar services, we may routinely collect information, such as the automatic network numbering information provided by the telephone network (caller-ID information), the location of your vehicle provided via satellite and GPS electronics, or any other information, including your preferences or usage patterns.
When you use the OnStar services, we may routinely collect information, such as the automatic network numbering information provided by the telephone network (caller-ID information), the location of your vehicle provided via satellite and GPS electronics, or any other information, including your preferences or usage patterns.
Doesn't say anything about only collecting information when you press a button, airbag deployment, etc.
I'm not paranoid. I just chose to question things and look past the end of my nose.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by minivette
The FBI was eavsdropping on OnStar customers. The company had to step in and ask a judge to block the order. The point is, even thought the FBI was doing it, it was illegal. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/34100.html
Originally Posted by minivette
As far as OnStar's privacy policy, I guess by your ignorant statement you have not read it. Here's a small excerpt.
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...gl_privacy.jsp
Doesn't say anything about only collecting information when you press a button, airbag deployment, etc.
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...gl_privacy.jsp
Doesn't say anything about only collecting information when you press a button, airbag deployment, etc.
Here's a quote you conveniently left out from OnStar's FAQ page:
Q. Does OnStar know where I am all the time?
A. OnStar takes your privacy very seriously. Only when the driver presses the OnStar button located in the vehicle does OnStar know your location. OnStar also knows the vehicle location if your air bags deploy or if you report your car stolen and file a police report.
A. OnStar takes your privacy very seriously. Only when the driver presses the OnStar button located in the vehicle does OnStar know your location. OnStar also knows the vehicle location if your air bags deploy or if you report your car stolen and file a police report.
The point is that technology always has the potential for misuse. That's why there are judicial controls in place to protect our rights. If the FBI is able to get a court order to eavesdrop on you in your car then you have bigger things to worry about - like what are you doing that gave them probable cause to get the court order?
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From: Austin, Tx.
Jeez... you've taken selective reading and misinterpretation to a whole new level. The point of the whole matter is that the FBI was eavsdropping on conversations in cars that have OnStar. Did you ever think that they even had the ability to do that? Is that in the contract when you sign up? You need to look at the big picture.
As for my cell phone Mr. know it all... it is not E911 compatible. So, no they cannot pinpoint my location to within a few feet.
Get a grip, and a life.
The point of the whole matter is that the FBI was eavsdropping on conversations in cars that have OnStar. Did you ever think that they even had the ability to do that? Is that in the contract when you sign up? You need to look at the big picture.As for my cell phone Mr. know it all... it is not E911 compatible. So, no they cannot pinpoint my location to within a few feet.
Get a grip, and a life.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
Even if your phone is not E911 capable (which uses GPS), they can find still your approximate location. They can triangulate your location based on what cell towers it is accessable to and their range overlap. Those GPS capable phones have no off button for their GPS subsystem. Its either 911 only or on all the time.
I think both sides of this argument are valid, but you guys are getting a bit rough. Accessability and convienience (sp?) have always been a trade-off with privacy and missuse of systems (tech or otherwise). It all comes down to trust and whether or not "Big Brother is watching you" (from 1984). It is unlikely that you are being watched/logged/tracked/whatever, but it is possible.
You guys have also hijacked someone elses thread for your argument. I don't want to come across as an a-hole, but that is rude. You should start your own thread. I agree that there was some valid information at first, but now its just an arument with name-calling.
Happy New Year
--VIP1
I think both sides of this argument are valid, but you guys are getting a bit rough. Accessability and convienience (sp?) have always been a trade-off with privacy and missuse of systems (tech or otherwise). It all comes down to trust and whether or not "Big Brother is watching you" (from 1984). It is unlikely that you are being watched/logged/tracked/whatever, but it is possible.
You guys have also hijacked someone elses thread for your argument. I don't want to come across as an a-hole, but that is rude. You should start your own thread. I agree that there was some valid information at first, but now its just an arument with name-calling.
Happy New Year
--VIP1
(being totally off topic). Need some rims like those 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
Are you sure you can't retrofit an Onstar? When I was getting my tint done, the guy at the shop was trying to get me to get Onstar installed in my car. I turned it down but I was thinking of getting it for the security tracking feature. I have LoJack but I have heard mixed things about it...
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If there is a retrofit kit then the people at OnStar aren't talking about it. There is no mention on their website of the availability of a kit and you would think they would promote that if it were available.
TECH Resident
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From: Westminster, MD
OnStar does not offer retrofitting to vehicles not designed for it. Please see the following link:
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...e=Installation
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...e=Installation