OnStar Doesn't Give Up Easily ... Sometimes

You can run but you can't hide.  Not easily anyway.

OnStar is notifying its customers that it keeps a record of the speed and location of OnStar-equipped cars, even after drivers discontinue their monthly service.

Why?  It might find a buyer for the data.

Adam Denison, a spokesman for the General Motors subsidiary, said OnStar does not currently sell customer data, but it reserves that right.

“What’s changed [is that if] you want to cancel your OnStar service, we are going to maintain a two-way connection to your vehicle unless the customer says otherwise,” Denison told Wired. Denison said the information is in "an anonymized format."

The company has begun sending emails to its six million account holders informing them of the update to its privacy policy. 

Denison also said that by keeping the connection current, it will make it "easier to re-enroll" if customers decide they just can't live without OnStar, which offers emergency and navigation services.

On the other hand ...

While OnStar is eager to keep dibs on you just in case that information might be worth something to somebody, it's not so eager to help out when its former subscribers need help, our readers tell us.

Tim of Prince Edward Island, Canada, told us of an incident involved a friend who had temporarily cancelled his subscription because of a financial downturn. 

"He put one of his daughters in her car seat and was going around the other side with his other girl and his little one locked the door. It is 25 degrees today, and he was 35 minutes outside the city on a Sunday," Tim said.

"He pleaded with Onstar to press the button to unlock the door, but they wouldn't do it. This is criminal, and charges should be brought on them. This was a child in danger, with serious consequences," Tim complained.

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