On little black boxes from insurance companies....

[TM]

How long before some hackers figure out how to hack the black box
and fool the system into thinking that you're plodding along at 55
when you're doing 150?

Just like w/ the G3 cellphones that people are talking about- it
wouldn't be hard to hack the phone to disable GPS, which would be
the first thing I'd do if I got one.

The two-way telematics systems like what Cadillac and MBZ have
implemented are scary- it's convenient when you lock your keys in
the car, but I'm afraid it can be used in ways detrimental to your
happiness.

Taka

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger M. Woodbury [mailto:rmwoodbury at downeast.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 8:24 AM
To: t44tq at mindspring.com
Cc: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: On little black boxes from insurance companies....


Actually, the technology is appearing in more and more cars right now.
Does anyone think that it is a big step from "On Star", to a system
where the car is tracked for insurance purposes?

How much of a step is it for that same system to not like what your car
is doing, and if you go, say three miles per hour over the limit, the
car just STOPS.....until you have cooled your jets......then in the mail
the next day is a citation for exceeding the speed limit....

....or even worse, the car remains inert until the cruiser pulls up in
back of you.....?

Roger