About OnStar

[PM Martin]

Is it true that there is a "passive listening" function that can be remotely activated
on the OnStar system. This allows someone from the outside (i.e the government/police) to listen in on conversations in the car. Does this passive listening system (if it exists) work even if you are not subscribed to their service?
:shrug:

[rcrush]

1. Probably.

[tridim]

2. No idea, but their commercials piss me off.

They're so manipulative, they remind me of BushCo's terra threat chart.

[Cheap_Trick]

9. How about those Brink's Home Security commercials?

Just as bad if not worse.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Not even close

When an armed zone is violated the installed alarm system notifies the monitoring company, sometimes immediately, some times after a delay, BY PHONE. Some panels have voice features, some do not. If it does not, depending on the instructions on file, the company will then call back to verify. Some high end panels have video capabilities, but they are a small faction of the installed base and a bit pricey.

[rrneck]

15. The best

security light is a muzzle flash.

[bunkerbuster1]

14. Those Home Security ads are a hoot!

I love how they essentially advertise that you don't need their monitoring system, since a loud alarm always scares off the bad guys.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. The better systems don't use sirens...all they do piss off the neighbors when the inevitable false

alarm happens. Maybe a strobe but that is about it. It would also use dedicated cell phone for comms, not the land line or internet. Consoles buzz but that is about it. Mine texts my cell with "significant events" as well.

Done right, security systems can be affordable and effective. That does not include any of those free to $99 systems with a 5 year monitoring contract. They also support fire and medical. I consider the former the greatest benefit for most people.

[baldguy]

3. It's a phone with a built-in GPS which is *designed* to track you.

What do you think?

[PM Martin]

4. If you pull the fuse on the OnStar system

would that deactivate it completely?

[Arctic Dave]

6. I asked our local dealership if they would do that.

They said they weren't sure if they were allowed to. What is up with that answer?

[8 track mind]

10. bit of a long shot

but if you could provide me with the vehicles wiring diagram i could tell you if pulling the fuse would work.

[baldguy]

7. Yes, and probably a half-dozen other essential systems along with it.

It's designed not to be disabled.

[1]

25. all phones with a built-in GPS are *designed* to track you. you get that, right?

all phones...

[baldguy]

26. You can TURN A CELL PHONE OFF, but *not* the OnStar. You get that, right?

:eyes:

[PM Martin]

27. Also a cell phone

used the distance between your phone and various cell towers to approximate your position.
OnStar :puke: GPS can give that location within 4 feet of your actual location.

Cell Phone - a few thousand feet
OnStar = 4 ft

[MadHound]

29. Umm, cell phones track you to distances much less than a few thousand feet,

Try more like just a few feet. Triangulation is a wonderful thing:shrug:

[1]

30. the ignorance on this thread about what your cell phone reveals about you is frightening...

you all might want to do a bit more research.

but, that's up to you and "what you know."

good luck...

[MadHound]

32. Yes, that ignorance is frightening,

However it is amusing when assholes who think that they know more than they really do decide to try and show off their ignorance by berating those of us who really do know what we're talking about. Here's a bit of a lesson for you.

<http://www.cellphonedigest.net/news/2007/08/india_using_cell_phone_to_redu.php>
<http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=175>
<http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/NEWS/708250335/0/FRONTPAGE>
<http://www.clspress.com/cellphonetracking.html>

Hmm, let's see here, these articles state that cell phones are indeed being used to track people, to within a few feet, using cell phone towers and triangulation. Don't you feel like a dumbass now? Next time use this little exchange as a lesson and do some research first before you post, it will save you from looking like a dumbass.

[baldguy]

34. And you don't know what a SIMM chip is or does.

[Statistical]

35. 1980 is calling and it wants you incredibly outdated "knowledge" back

Cellphone tracking ability has improved a lot in last 2 decades.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

GPB has been required in all cellphones sold in last 4 years and the majority of cellphones sold in last 6.

Even cellphones that don't advertise or announce their A-GPS abilities retain them for emergency/police use.

The combination of A-GPS and the system upgrades mandated by Enhanced 911 make cellphones incredibly accurate in most environments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E911#Wireless_Enhanced_911


Always funny when someone who claims other people don't "know something" or should do some "research" is normally just shooting from the hip and clueless. Like this instance.

[1]

31. yes you can. but how is it the cell phone remembers all of your stored phone numbers...

if the cell phone is "off" and all.

hummm...

[crispini]

33. It's called "memory"-- how do computers remember stuff,

being "off" and all?

[cherokeeprogressive]

37. The same way my digital camera "remembers" the pictures I took at Aunt Agnes's house last year? n/t

[pinniped]

5. I've read a story where the .gov obtained a warrant to listen in on some dude's.....

Onstar system.

Hell, these days who needs a warrant?

[iamthebandfanman]

8. ive heard

that theyve gotten in trouble before concerning passive listening. something about employees listening to people for giggles. im pretty sure they got in trouble those people involved were fired.

i think its still technically illegal for law enforcement to listen in(without a warrent), or for onstar to report something they heard without your knowledge you were being listened to(altho these days after bush, its hard to tell privacy rights)...


but yes, even if you arent subscribed to onstar the system is fully functional...
infact there are people out on the web whove taken advantage of the fact that the GPS works without a subscription(as its based in the car, not on their side)...
there have been people who through some re-wiring have managed to get GPS services for free using laptops of other small pre-made PCs for their car...

[Rosco T.]

11. One thing they will turn it on for....

.. is if the sensors in the car detect your airbags have deployed or senses a crash impact that may or may not deploy your airbags (like getting hit from behind).. they will turn it on to see if you are alright (but they will say something). Case in point, someone gets hit, and gets in a position where they can't reach the OnStar button to call for help..

[PM Martin]

12. Good thing I did not waste my money ona GM car.

[rrneck]

16. I just love

my POS pickup truck.

[PM Martin]

18. kick

[roamer65]

19. Or you can buy a Ford, which does not have the system.

My next car will probably be a Ford Focus, since it is made in Michigan.

[PM Martin]

20. True. I did not buy a GM car for the record.

And alot of it has to do with the OnStar system.

[roamer65]

24. The salesman got a hoot out of my statement when I bought my Chevy truck.

I said "No OnStar...Good!...I don't want that crap in the truck".

Need to contact something from the truck I use my cell phone.

[Dinger]

21. Shit, We're Going Buy A New Vehicle Soon. I'm Gonna Tell Them I Won't Buy A

vehicle with that horseshit 1984 Orwell OnStar bullshit on it. If they can't accommodate, no sale.

[Dinger]

22. OnStar Creeps Me Out (nt)

[1]

23. not for nuthin, but tony soprano had this exact device removed from his escalade. i'm just saying...

[flvegan]

28. Fictional, but good point. What's Danny Marino rolling in these days.

And I don't mean the Miami QB.

[PM Martin]

36. Very true.

[Indy Lurker]

38. FBI has used OnStar

http://www.bobbarr.org/default.asp?pt=newsdescr&RI=473

[PM Martin]

39. Thank you.

[Canuckistanian]

40. The idea of OnStar has always creeped me out.

Someone, in some far-away place, can tell whether my car is on, whether my airbags have been deployed, knows if my car is locked or not, and has a microphone that can be turned on or off REMOTELY is FUCKING CREEPY.

I HAVE a cell phone.

Let ME decide if there's a Goddamned emergency.