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OnStar backtracks with controversial project

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Khatir Soltani
In light of the wrath of citizens and politicians alike over the new user conditions it was about to implant in December, OnStar has hastily back-pedalled.

In future, OnStar will not keep collecting vehicle data from clients who have cancelled their subscription.

In a press release sent to the media, Linda Marshall stated “we realized that our proposed amendments did not satisfy our subscribers […] and we hope to maintain the trust of our more than 6 million customers”.

“We regret any confusion or concern we may have caused,” Marshall continued. 

Though repentant, the big boss still felt the need to defend the project.

She believes that maintaining the data collection would have allowed OnStar to provide former customers with urgent information about natural disasters and recalls affecting their vehicles even after cancelling their service.

OnStar did not discard the idea of offering consenting clients the opportunity in the future to maintain the data collection even when the service is inactive.

The new measures specified that the vehicle information of an ex-OnStar user could still be collected after the subscription had been cancelled.

The news surprised and shocked many people and even made its way to the American Congress. Certain senators considered it a major intrusion of privacy, demanding explanations from OnStar and even calling for a public investigation.
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada