Black Boxes could be coming to all new cars by the end of 2014
Big Brother is seemingly watching you at every turn in your life. It turns out he’s even watching you as you’re driving in your car.
Black boxes, like the ones we hear about when a plane crash happens, could become mandatory in every new car by September of 2014. That means your actions in the car can be recorded.
It can tell where you’re going if you use a GPS device for directions. It can record how fast you’re driving, and even when you use your breaks; KTRH’s Car Pro, Jerry Reynolds, has mixed emotions about it.
“If these are used for good, and we can get data that shows how to avoid accidents then I think it’s a great thing. If they fall into the wrong hands and this isn’t handled properly it could be very dangerous,” Reynolds explained.
Lillie Coney, the Associate Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told KTRH why she doesn't like it.
“It’s what the cars are able to record and collect about a driver’s activity and then who owns that data and what the privacy rights are related to that data,” Coney said.
But Reynolds says these black boxes aren't new.
“They’ve already been in cars and being used. And I haven’t heard of any issues where attorney or police have gotten a hold of this data to prosecute someone,” Reynolds said.
And what can we do about these privacy concerns? Not much as it turns out. The Traffic Safety Administration says they don't have the authority to impose limits on how the recorded information can be used.
