Could Corvette's Performance Data Recorder be Incriminating?

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown) 01/06/2014 at 14:22 • Filed to: None

3

11

We've recently seen the new !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! dash cam, dubbed the Performance Data Recorder (PDR) that records your track session much like a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and also logs vehicle telemetries and positioning via GPS. This allows the PDR unit to do some pretty damn cool things. It logs brake and throttle position, gear selection, vehicle speed, engine speed, traction control selection, traction control engagement, and probably more. This information can be over-layed on your own recorded track session presented in a Forza (or Gran Turismo, if that's still your thing) type of replay. You can even use tools to see where you're losing time and how to improve your driving skills. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has a nice article if you want to really dig in to more of PDR's capabilities.

Don't get me wrong. I think the innovation at Chevrolet, especially with the Corvette Stingray, has been incredible and much worthy of applause. This type of in car data acquisition is just want a track day junky would love and what all enthusiasts love to see as performance cars evolve.

But what if this data wasn't private? What if you take your Corvette Stingray in to a dealer for service and are denied warranty due to accessibility of the stored data? What if the police could pull this data during a traffic stop or if GM's software has a backdoor to alert local authorities of hooning on public streets or doing that innocent burnout? Should you be worried?

If you like this article you may like our others. Check us out at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or like our !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! page for updates.

For Sweden > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 14:24

3

If the data exists, the police can pull it, though not likely during a traffic stop. They would probably need a warrant.

HammerheadFistpunch > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 14:25

2

I was waiting for this post. This was the first thing I thought about when I heard about the PDR

ddavidn > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 14:27

1

They wouldn't get it in a traffic stop, but the police and dealership could definitely pull it if they needed to.

jariten1781 > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 14:41

2

If it exists it can be retrieved via a warrant. Additionally, if you specifically delete it to conceal illegal activities it could be construed as tampering with evidence.

GM can certainly use it to challenge warranty claims. Some manufacturers already have folks cruising enthusiast forums to find evidence of racing/abuse to use in warranty denials.

As to service shops alerting local authorities...that probably depends on what's on there. There is precedent for computer repair shops to turn over evidence of illegal photos or whatever that are found.

HiredDriver > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 14:49

2

OP didn't even mention insurance companies gaining access.

Is vehicle PDR equipped? Discount!

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > RightFootDown 01/06/2014 at 15:22

1

Two Words.

OwnStar.

That data could be sent anywhere, and you wouldn't know where, why, or that it was happening. There is no indicator, and OwnStar has hooks into the whole car's CANBUS.

Heck, the same microphone that allows you to talk to an OwnStar operator could be listening to any audible sound in the interior of the car at any time, or viewing video streaming, or data from any system on board at any time.

It is probably written into the EULA of any GM car with OwnStar on board, whether OwnStar is active or not. They just deny you responses from them if you aren't subscribed, they don't disconnect the hardware on your car.

Whether they happen to be snooping or whether they aren't... there isn't an indicator either way; but the tech is installed, and ready, without accountability because there is no indicator. Surveillance built in at the factory by a company that now has the government's hooks in it, whether they still officially own GM stocks or not. The genie is already out of that bottle.

Heck, they advertise surveillance features for your benefit if your car is stolen... if they can do it on request, they can do it any other time, too. OwnStar doesn't report to you, they only bill you.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > For Sweden 01/06/2014 at 15:30

0

They can GPS track a car without a warrant, after a Wisconsin Federal Court Case.

OwnStar has GPS built in... police don't even need to plant a third-party tracker, if they can draw the parallel.

NSA don't need no stinking warrants... everyone else wants on that nanny state bandwagon, too. For the greater good, and public safety, and national security, and any other nebulous authoritarian terminology that they can come up with.

For Sweden > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/06/2014 at 15:32

0

Thanks Obama

RafelX > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/06/2014 at 16:44

0

It's not just on star. I've read that about 90% of new cars have some form of data logging. Typically the owner of the car owns the data, but that will vary with state law and you may have a clause with your insurer that grants them access as well.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > RafelX 01/06/2014 at 17:53

0

Recording the data on-board is one thing, although I do have qualms about the legality there...

but a built-in telematics system that can connect and broadcast anything at anytime, and can allow remote access to your vehicle's systems...

With things like PDR, or the hooks into the mechanical controls for automatic parking, rear, front, or even surround cameras, interior microphones, and all the data for the vehicle being available on the CANBUS that the telematics is connected to...

That is something different.

There is no light, message, beep, or any other indicator that OnStar is connected, transmitting, or receiving, or what the content of those digital communications might be.

You don't KNOW if it is broadcasting the cabin audio, any available camera signals, or any of the car's data to anyone... regardless of who... or what commands it could receive at any time, without warning or confirmation of acceptance.

Data logging is just a recording of data. Accessing it requires a connection.

Telematics is an unaccountably-active transceiver that IS a connection that doesn't necessarily report to the driver and/or owner of the car.

RafelX > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/06/2014 at 18:11

0

I get what you're saying now. Trying to sneak in some Oppo at work and having a reading comprehension fail. I'd like to hope they wouldn't do that but I wouldn't put it past them, especially if they can figure out how to monetize it.