While pretty appalling in this particular case, I actually think that this is a good general policy for M-B to have. With all of this technology becoming more and more pervasive, customer privacy becomes more and more important.
May be too hot a case for EFF to get behind them, though.
Appalling is right. I wish a sense of personal responsibility would accompany all that technology. Drivers are only getting more and more aggressive. Furthermore, anybody else notice that commercials these days seem to advocate swerving to avoid people and objects, rather than slowing down or stopping?
BUT what really suprises me is the police agency's don't have "BLACK OPTS" that would circumvent the lack of a court order and just track the vehicle to get it done.
I don't trust the government at all pre or post PATRIOT ACT.
Seems to me all they need is a few keystrokes to find out exactly where someone is hiding - to hell with court orders.
A suspect is not a convicted criminal - big difference even though the orwellian dept. of home security wants us to forget this.
Innocent until proven guilty is an important concept in law. It's then not M-B's or any other company's responsibility to play cop and hunt down suspects. Especially their own customers.
It's a smart PR move on the side of Mercedes-Benz- remember that it's the customers who buy these cars, not the police. Score points with consumers while avoiding any real fines (as though Mercedes will get anymore than a wrist slap for ignoring the order)- that's how to run a company.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve @ Jul 16th 2007 3:41PM
While pretty appalling in this particular case, I actually think that this is a good general policy for M-B to have. With all of this technology becoming more and more pervasive, customer privacy becomes more and more important.
May be too hot a case for EFF to get behind them, though.
oof @ Jul 16th 2007 4:06PM
Appalling is right. I wish a sense of personal responsibility would accompany all that technology. Drivers are only getting more and more aggressive. Furthermore, anybody else notice that commercials these days seem to advocate swerving to avoid people and objects, rather than slowing down or stopping?
Big @ Jul 16th 2007 4:49PM
BUT what really suprises me is the police agency's don't have "BLACK OPTS" that would circumvent the lack of a court order and just track the vehicle to get it done.
I don't trust the government at all pre or post PATRIOT ACT.
Seems to me all they need is a few keystrokes to find out exactly where someone is hiding - to hell with court orders.
BigBirdUK @ Jul 16th 2007 6:48PM
lol @ Big.
Reading too many comics I suggest?
nikster @ Jul 16th 2007 7:05PM
A suspect is not a convicted criminal - big difference even though the orwellian dept. of home security wants us to forget this.
Innocent until proven guilty is an important concept in law. It's then not M-B's or any other company's responsibility to play cop and hunt down suspects. Especially their own customers.
Chuckles McGee @ Jul 16th 2007 7:42PM
It's a smart PR move on the side of Mercedes-Benz- remember that it's the customers who buy these cars, not the police. Score points with consumers while avoiding any real fines (as though Mercedes will get anymore than a wrist slap for ignoring the order)- that's how to run a company.