OnStar Takes on Conspiracy Theorists

DETROIT — General Motors took pains to debunk persistent misconceptions about its OnStar communications systems on Thursday, assuring concerned consumers in an hour-long Web chat on the corporate GM FastLane blog that it is not turning over information to police, the FBI or the CIA.

As the technology behind OnStar has grown more sophisticated, it has drawn the attention of consumers worried about privacy. The communications system is standard in all General Motors vehicles.

The "GM's Big Brother division" drumbeat grew louder following one of OnStar's most dramatic moments. During a Visalia, California, carjacking in October, operators at OnStar sent a command that electronically disabled the gas pedal of a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. Police later said this action prevented a high-speed collision. General Motors crowed about this OnStar achievement — the first of its kind — noting that it took only 16 minutes from the time OnStar was notified for the vehicle to be stopped.

But that historic moment for OnStar has evidently fueled concern among a certain cross-section of GM owners who fear that OnStar might report them to law enforcement agencies.

"We all know that some things that start out as being noninvasive develop into means by which 'big brother' can get control," wrote R.D. Henard in the GM FastLane blog on Thursday. "Even if you do not have that intent now, you may be required to in the future."

Jane Speelman, OnStar's Privacy and Compliance officer, countered: "We provide clear notice to our subscribers [of the capability of the service] and offer an opt-out."

She also acknowledged what GM says are the "myths" about OnStar. "One of the most common myths we hear is that OnStar has a continuous connection to our subscribers' vehicles — we don't. We don't continuously monitor the location of the vehicle."

One participant in the Web chat said: "I have also heard that beyond monitoring the locations of vehicles at all times, you also sell that information to the FBI and CIA."

Speelman responded: "We don't sell our subscribers' personal or vehicle-specific data to anyone.

"OnStar does not obtain speed from the vehicle's speedometer," she added, "but we do calculate an estimated speed based on GPS information. We do not provide this information to anyone for their independent use (e.g., law enforcement in relation to the issuance of a speeding ticket)."

Speelman also said OnStar cannot listen in on in-vehicle conversations "without notice to the occupants."

Inside Line says: The simple message seems to be if OnStar freaks you out, opt out. But will conspiracy theorists buy that? — Anita Lienert, Correspondent