[NMNeil]

Ford already have patents so that if you miss a car payment they can start turning things off such as the A/C, power windows etc. culminating in the possibility that the car will drive itself to the nearest dealership if you still don't make your payments.
If that's not bad enough their latest patents are truly disturbing.

[jeffrey597doss]

Hello!
Ford has indeed filed patents for technology that can disable features like air conditioning, power windows, and even repossess the car autonomously if payments are missed. Additionally, they have patents for systems that could eavesdrop on conversations to play targeted ads. These developments raise significant privacy and ethical concerns.

[Mark07]

@NMNeil, I suspect the devil will be in the details.

If a payment is delayed by even a day (for whatever reason) it seems like overkill to 'brick' the electronics. However, I can imagine a scenario where they may want to restrict some of the cars options in the same way a phone company may eventually restrict service - I'm going to assume they wouldn't impact safety features.

As for some of the advertisement features described in the video... maybe, just maybe some version may appear in the states, but I don't think that'll fly in Europe.

What do you think?

[Rolebama]

I remember seeing a system on a car in a US Detective TV series, where an occupant asked the car to contact emergency services on their behalf. Apparently the person they were talking to did so, and stayed talking to whoever. This was a few years ago, so, if true, all Ford are doing is maybe making this system more transparent.
(I think it was an episode of Castle or Bones, and the car was possibly a Lexus.)

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

I remember seeing a system on a car in a US Detective TV series, where an occupant asked the car to contact emergency services on their behalf. Apparently the person they were talking to did so, and stayed talking to whoever. This was a few years ago, so, if true, all Ford are doing is maybe making this system more transparent.
(I think it was an episode of Castle or Bones, and the car was possibly a Lexus.)

[NMNeil]

@Mark07 You may not have a choice.
The first CCTV cameras in London were temporarily put in place in 1960 for a Royal visit. When it was announced that they would now be permanent there were cries of "Big Brother". How many cameras does London have now with facial recognition?

[Mark07]

True. But in that scenario, CCTV also offers safety/security (or at least the perception of).

Some people campaigned against the introduction of seatbelts for similar arguments - civil liberties. If there is a perceived positive e.g. have advertising switched on and we'll charge you less, then perhaps it'll have a chance.

I can't think of a feature that was introduced to the car industry which didn't have an upside, maybe i'm wrong.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Mark07

True. But in that scenario, CCTV also offers safety/security (or at least the perception of).

As a current example, my daughter was hospitalised earlier this week as a result of an assault. CCTV couldn't have prevented that, but it is being used in evidence to prosecute the perpetrator.

[Mark07]

@Beelzebub, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she's recovering well.

[NMNeil]

@Rolebama Since 2018 all cars sold in the EU already have such a system installed as standard called Ecall., and it looks like the UK has it despite Brexit.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/ecall/

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Mark07

@Beelzebub, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she's recovering well.

Thanks very much, Mark.

She has a couple of small facial fractures and an impressive black eye. She's well enough to come with me to the pub for lunch tomorrow, albeit with dark glasses!

Praise is due to the station staff at Euston, who saw the incident and called police and ambulance, BT Police who were on the scene within seconds, and the A and E team at University College Hospital.

[Rolebama]

Beelzebub: Sorry to read your post above. Best wishes to her.

[Drivingforfun]

Sorry for the slow response, I’ve been away from here recently for a few reasons but wanted to add my regards ad well @Beelzebub. I hope you both enjoyed the pub lunch!!

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

Sorry for the slow response, I’ve been away from here recently for a few reasons but wanted to add my regards ad well @Beelzebub. I hope you both enjoyed the pub lunch!!

Thank you (and Rolebama) for your kind thoughts. Pub lunch postponed until today!