Bet you both carry a digital cellphone...so it has a GPS BY LAW (all phones since the old tri-mode analog/digital phones about 10 years ago are required) in the name of e-911....funny thing is...all of you movements are available without a warrent...just takes some know how...

 

I'm still waiting. It's public right?

My point is, it's not public.. It's about as public as your credit card number.

Yes, of course AT&T, the NSA, and 911 can track me... But you can't..

And yes, EZPass, traffic cameras, ATM transactions, police license plate readers, credit cards, etc.. Are all data collection points. And some are public events, but the data collection is not.

 

the police have an app on their pcs in their cars that can show your location on google maps ... if they have it anyone can get it

yes, it is illegal for the general public, but that does not stop someone who wants it

i have seen the app in action in my buddies police car ... we put in my brothers cell phone, th en called him to ask him to pick me up a coke while he was in the 7-11 store

 

And that's my point, it's not public, nor is it legal for the public to use. I never said the ability of tracking did not exist (of course it does), but rather your insurance company can't legally track your driving (from your phone), unless you "ok" it.

Keep in mind, the OBDII data loggers don't store GPS, only, brake applications, TPS rates, speeds, etc.. They really don't know where you are driving, only how fast you are going at a given point and how soon after you floor it, you nail the brakes.

 

I am old and not the most technical. The last thing you want me looking at Apps and trying to figure GPS Coordinates.

Can it be done? Not sure but I agree most likely not at least by me. I am just not a Tech Person beyond my music and iTouch.

You hear all the time about credit card hackers and being exposed. I am sure many can do more than I? Information is out there, but what to do with it if you can get it?

Maybe not the best attitude but I am not loosing sleep over it! Can't control it anyway. In the end I am just a number among millions maybe more....

 

right, because it is illegal, there is not a single convicted felon carrying a gun .... lmao

 

Your cop friend SHOUlD know that he used the tool in an unauthorised way

his use of the tool in this way could (should) get him fired or at least reprimanded .... I'm forwarding you post to his superior .... this is the same as my running my girl friend's name thru the system ..... a BIG violation of the rules according to the papers I signed to get access to these systems . . .

 

I bet for the right price, a few folks will do checks for others...Private detectives maybe?!
Fact it...the system is there....
it can be done simply and easily!!
And the person tracked is NEVER notified they were tracked or suspected ever having done anything wrong.

 

I wonder if they still have the ride alongs that you can sign up for to ride with the Police?

So much has changed it would be interesting to see what technology is at their finger tips now.

I have gleaned much in what they can do now. Electronically reading plates automatically. Something about being able to tell if you have been texting while driving?? Not sure.

Technology is a wonderful thing. Just curious about what is in their arsenal these days. Beside the laptop in the car - hence in the old days loved to hear the police radio which today is not very interesting because so much is handled via laptop.

Remember the police scanners of long ago?

 

The USAA device logs gps data. You can not only view a route taken, the list of incidents include a hyperlink to a map showing a location where the incident occurred.

I would guess that capability is not unique to USAA.

 

What's a cell phone, Zippy?

 

NO DAMN WAY Comrade! This is a TOTAL invasion of privacy.

 

Yikes! Screw that!

 

Exactamundo

 

I've been hearing about this for months now and if I were to ask I won't do it. It's a monitoring device that could surely double your premium after. It's not as if I am a high risk driver in a high risk car insurance so I won't do it.

 

+1


a

 

But the device has a GPS.

 

All "usage insurance" devices have GPS, all use it to record data sets (speed, g-forces, coordinates, etc) on a periodic basis. Usually every 60 seconds, but the frequency can be re-programmed as desired, or data obtained on demand.

The data is cached locally, then uploaded to the insurance server via a cell phone data link. Usually daily, or at ignition ON or OFF event. Frequency and volume of data uploads is programmable, but as the insurance company pays for cell phone data rates, they batch and compress the data before transmission.

The above is a light-weight OBD-II plug-in approach. At least you can self-select to participate, and un-plug the device when you change your mind.

Most modern luxury cars are equipped with integrated "telematics" modules from the factory. They do all of the above, plus are deeply integrated into the vehicle data bus. They can do much much more, including surreptitious updates of DME software, perform scheduled on on-demand exhaustive car diagnostics, and remotely control any piece of vehicle equipment connected to the car's data bus. These devices can not be unplugged or disabled without vehicle dis-assembly with a soldering iron, and setting off multiple fault codes.

No US laws are broken, as you voluntarily waive all privacy rights when you sign-up for usage-based insurance, or buy a new car and accept 6, or 12, or 18-month "free" telematics service.

1984 is so mid-2000's. Here is a glimpse of how quaint things were back then: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...ar-tracks-you/

Welcome to 2014.

a

 

My wife's cousin is an awful driver. Progressive offered her this deal, and it was actually a premium she could afford. My wife went somewhere in her car when she visited last year. The device was beeping almost constantly..

She floors it from lights, brakes late, etc....She has had it for a year and she told my wife her premium has gone up 8 out of 12 months!

incredible...

 

One note: This is a temporary item. It would be plugged in for 6 months and then they get it back.

We just switched carriers and it is something they are offering to get the premiums down further for us. You know, beyond the home/ car discount etc.

I have no problem driving civily for the 6 months that it is plugged in. I don't feel I drive that far out of civily in the first place. Of course THEY will be the judge of that eh?

This thread has been awesome. As the OP I thank everyone participating in the dialog and please continue.

I'll be getting the final details soon and deciding. I will report back. I just knew nothing of these things, so I posted. I wanted to be informed better when I spoke to them.

 

Hey JD,

If you decide to move forward, please let us know how it works out for you and what conclusions you draw from your experience.

thanks!

Jeff

 

Actually that was me who said that, not rckrzy1 in your quote.

I am referring to Progressive... "Snapshot" which is widely used..

As per their webpage - http://www.progressive.com/auto/snap...mon-questions/

"What other information do you collect?
Once you plug in the Snapshot device, we'll collect your Vehicle Identification Number and take note of whether the device stays plugged in, so we can alert you if it gets disconnected. The Snapshot device doesn't track your location or whether you're speeding, and it doesn't contain GPS technology."

So what super awesome insurance company are you referring to that also uses your cell phone(?!) to transmit data as you drive?

 

If the insurance company claims to reduce your rate because having one of these in the car assists in theft recovery, then it has GPS or access to the cars GPS unit.

 

I think that he meant that the information collected is transmitted via cell data transmission as in " data transmission network uses a cellular network kind of thing" from their own device, I don't think that the use your cell phone.

 

i actually used the progressive one a couple years ago. and failed. Too much hard braking and driving past 10pm for them i think it was(when accidents were supposedly more likely to happen). my rates haven't changed, more than $10-$20 Nothing out of the ordinary. My record is going on 14 years spotless. nothing but a parking ticket!