I have known for quite some time about the "black boxes" present in most vehicles made after 1992. I believe they originated as devices that recorded the last few seconds of a cars speed in order to deploy airbags with a sudden change of speed to zero. Beyond that I hear that they now collect and store a great deal of data. What I don't know, but would like to learn is:

1. How much data do they record and store? Hours worth, days worth, months worth? This is probably terribly paranoid of me, and I am trying to figure out whether I am over-reacting to the concept of being spied on by my car. Obviously I am not gung-ho for OnStar, either. Does anyone have anything to say that would help me get past my aversion to cars newer than 1992? (Not there is a lot that is prettier than my '92 El Dorado anyway!)

2. Can these black boxes be disconnected? Is it legal to disconnect them? Will it hose up anything but the airbag?

Thanks for any discussion that might clarify things!

Pat

Maybe this will help.
http://www.ledfix.com/pages/1/index.htm

Thanks! That definitely sheds some light on the situation. What with the government wanting to track our every move if we own an animal, I fear I have become awfully suspicious of everything that reeks of possible privacy violation. Five seconds worth of data, however, is not unreasonable, especially when it is not readily readable by anyone.

Thanks! That definitely sheds some light on the situation. What with the government wanting to track our every move if we own an animal, I fear I have become awfully suspicious of everything that reeks of possible privacy violation. Five seconds worth of data, however, is not unreasonable, especially when it is not readily readable by anyone.
Yet.

Well, I don't plan to give up my beautiful '92 El Dorado anyway. I still think it is the most Cadillac ever built - just wish it was a North Star!

Trading safety for security and privacy isn't safe at all IMO. :) Reasons I plan on buying even older cars.

I do agree and if you don't know what they are about to do to animal owners, I urge you in the strongest terms to read http://libertyark.net. I will not say more here as it is totally off topic. I presently own a 1979 Chevy pickup, an '83 El Dorado, which I do not plan to keep, and the beautiful '92 El Dorado which has some problems, but that I hope will be well worth fixing so I will have many years of use from it.