For me, the death knell for On*Star was the case where the gov’t used this device to listen to a drug dealer, then used On*Star to track make his deliveries.
This was property that was owned by the criminal, was then used against him (with a court order and Search Warrant); but my view is simple. On*Star violated a trust, thus no vehicle of mine will EVER have that product installed on it.
The instant I hear of a cell phone that is similarily used to monitor my personal conversations and track my movements, I will return to a home phone and forsake the cell phone.
All modern phones are electronic, so the same technology thats used to ring the phone, can also activate the handset mic, or the speakerphone mic.
Most people have multi handset phones, which enables virtually entire house audio surveilance.
Most cell phones today have a GPS unit in them, that even with power to the phone off, the GPS CAN still be powered. The only alternative is taking the battery out. Older phones that don't have GPS, still ping the towers. Unless your in a very rural area, there are usually 3 or more towers that receive your phones ping, enabling the powers that be to triangulate your position, to within a a handful of yards.
Just like a home phone, your cell phone can be activated to send a voice signal while in your pocket. Isn't bluetooth wonderful. I have heard, but can't confirm, that a signal can be sent to turn a phone on remotely.
Got a tollway transponder? You have already tagged your vehicle for the government.
Welcome to the world of Big Brother.
This was property that was owned by the criminal, was then used against him (with a court order and Search Warrant); but my view is simple. On*Star violated a trust, thus no vehicle of mine will EVER have that product installed on it.
If they had a properly attained warrant, then I don't think On*Star or the government did anything wrong. It's when such info starts being attainable by the government with only a subpoena that I get really worried.
If they can get a warrant, using On*Star is basically a matter of convenience, and it saves them money over having to plant a bug and tracking device on or in your car.
The instant I hear of a cell phone that is similarly used to monitor my personal conversations and track my movements, I will return to a home phone and forsake the cell phone.
You can always turn your cell phone off when you aren't using it. A prepaid phone is harder for the government to tie to you and get a warrant to intercept your calls or get tracking info, but probably only if you don't use it much.