Data logging/telemetry/police access

[Zepboy]

Apologies for cross posting this. My post below relates specifically to Australia, BUT, since our cars are imported directly from the US I suspect that the configuration I'm thinking about applies to you guys as well. I'm curious to hear from anyone who has genuine info on this :

I've got an odd question based on a conversation I had earlier with a friend. Do our mustangs log and/or store data in an ongoing manner? Specifically things like speed, throttle position, information about what the suspension has been doing? If so, under what circumstances could the police and/or insurers access this information?

I've got some pretty good circumstantial evidence that this data IS logged and stored in the car, for quite a long time (ie. it isnt erased every time you start the car). I have also got some information to suggest that the police and insurance companies can access this information WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION in the event of an accident. I think its a gross violation of privacy, but I wonder if anyone else has every heard of this or knows if it is actually legal??

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[Shifting_Gears]

Many new vehicles have essentially a data recorder that will save vehicle parameters in the instance of a crash. So in a sense, yes. I’m not sure about long term storage of daily vehicle data but I haven’t heard anything in the way of that being utilized to persecute or hold someone responsible from a legal standpoint.

I’m sure it’s very possible, but we aren’t in an era where police pull you over and scan your car for vehicle data.. yet. Yikes.

As far as insurance, Progressive offers a data recording tool that you plug into the diagnostic port that does log your driving habits including speed, throttle position, etc to reduce insurance rates for responsible drivers. But that’s an add on device.

 

[Zathras]

I don't know what is done in Australia, but in the US most new cars have a data recording ability which will store certain information if there is a significant crash. The 2018 Mustang owners manual has a section on it starting on p. 9-10 (link below)

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...g-Owner-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_09_2017.pdf

"The event data recorder in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: • How various systems in your vehicle were operating; • Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened; • How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or the brake pedal; and • How fast the vehicle was traveling; and • Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel."

The issue of who can access the information and how it can be used, is still being hashed out in the US. Typically that evidence can be collected by police if they obtain a warrant or a court order, but it may vary by state.

 

[EcoVert]

Yes your car is big brother it records everything you do while the ignition is on

 

[Fatguy]

I don't know what is done in Australia, but in the US most new cars have a data recording ability which will store certain information if there is a significant crash. The 2018 Mustang owners manual has a section on it starting on p. 9-10 (link below)

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...g-Owner-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_09_2017.pdf

"The event data recorder in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: • How various systems in your vehicle were operating; • Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened; • How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or the brake pedal; and • How fast the vehicle was traveling; and • Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel."

The issue of who can access the information and how it can be used, is still being hashed out in the US. Typically that evidence can be collected by police if they obtain a warrant or a court order, but it may vary by state.

In other words do not ever let your insurance company attach one of those monitoring devices on your car telling you that it will lower your rates (if you do and live near me I’m coming over to slap you around silly). That is just the start as I am sure eventually they want it to be mandatory. How you drive your car is your business until they catch you doing something illegal. Up here in Canada if you get into an accident the low cost ones do not get an officer on the scene. Rather you go to a police reporting station. They will just snatch the phone from you hands and look at all the photos. If you are in the right this works for you but I would delete your wife or girlfriend’s “booty call” photos before you go there. But yes they just snatch the phone so you can’t show them the ones you want. I can see them now just hooking up the data port in the cars to find out what happened.

Find out who owns the data in your car. I suspect Ford does so they can service it but it would be a good idea. If we own it can we purge the data at regular intervals. You know the score.

You guessed it - I don’t have one of those Alexa home monitoring things in my house.

 

[showbbq]

Many new vehicles have essentially a data recorder that will save vehicle parameters in the instance of a crash. So in a sense, yes. I’m not sure about long term storage of daily vehicle data but I haven’t heard anything in the way of that being utilized to persecute or hold someone responsible from a legal standpoint.

I’m sure it’s very possible, but we aren’t in an era where police pull you over and scan your car for vehicle data.. yet. Yikes.

As far as insurance, Progressive offers a data recording tool that you plug into the diagnostic port that does log your driving habits including speed, throttle position, etc to reduce insurance rates for responsible drivers. But that’s an add on device.

Unless you putt around real slow in your mustang, those logging devices from insurance companies won't work in your favor.

 

[Fatguy]

Unless you putt around real slow in your mustang, those logging devices from insurance companies won't work in your favor.

Seriously, any car enthusiast that drives around with one of those things in their car is no driving enthusiast in my book!

 

[Shifting_Gears]

Yeah hence I wouldn’t put one in my car. My rates would probably go up.. lol

 

[CB18]

Those Progressive electronic stool pigeons are for Prius only.

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