John R. Quain reports on the privacy flap over OnStar mentioned previously on this blog: A new set of terms and conditions for OnStar, the General Motors-supported safety and connectivity system, is generating privacy concerns among some subscribers, many of whom have been historically sensitive to the potential for abuse. For years, some G.M. car…
Category: Business
Smartphone app draws heat for invading user’s privacy
Daisuke Igarashi reports: An app developed for use in smartphones has been sharply criticized as being a huge invasion of privacy and a potential tool for stalkers almost as soon as it became available. The app “Karelog” was designed to allow an individual to trace where their boyfriend or girlfriend have been as well as…
FTC Seeks Protection for Personal Customer Information in Borders Bankruptcy Proceeding
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing efforts to protect consumer privacy, the Director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection sent a letter advocating protection of personal customer information held by Borders Group, which is currently in bankruptcy. BCP Director David Vladeck’s letter, addressed to the consumer privacy ombudsman appointed by the court…
OnStar Begins Spying On Customers’ GPS Location For Profit
Jonathan Zdziarski writes: I canceled the OnStar subscription on my new GMC vehicle today after receiving an email from the company about their new terms and conditions. While most people, I imagine, would hit the delete button when receiving something as exciting as new terms and conditions, being the nerd sort, I decided to have…