Ryan's Currently Unnamed Blog

Ever get that feeling your being watched?

The government wants to put 'Black Boxes' in every car. I first heard of this new proposal over the weekend, and it scared the hell out of me. And tonight, the author of an article about it was on the radio. Sure, car manufacturer's put them in high end cars with new features and they are meant to be used by maintenance people to diagnose problems. And, if you wanted to make a big stink about it, you probably could go in and take it out and nobody would really care. Sure, they wouldn't be able to fix your car as easily or tell you what's wrong right away, but its your car and you can what you want with it.. right?

Well, not if the government has its way. The NTSB is suggesting to the NHSTA to require all cars by 2008 to record the last 8 seconds before a crash, and the 6 seconds after. This would force your car to incriminate you in an accident (against your 5th amendment rights, no doubt). Sure, sure, this could all be brushed aside with a "it's for the common good" or "if your not speeding and wearing your seat belt, what's the problem?' type of argument, but what is really frightening is what it opens the door to. How long before its expanded where it records say, 2 minutes. And, its equipped with a wireless transmitter. And, every couple minutes, it uploads your location, speed, seat belt use, and possibly alerts the authorities that you are a criminal and need to be apprehended?

Sound far fetched? All the technology is here already! In many cases, like OnStar for example, its voluntary and people want it. However, that's something you Opt-in for and it isn't a mandate by law.

Call me a privacy nut, but i'd prefer to keep my business to myself thank you very much. And, somehow, I don't believe that the government is looking out for my best interests.

You're only paranoid if they aren't really watching you.