Technology

OnStar ‘Family Link’ Lets You Spy on Where Family Members Drive Your Car

OnStar Family Link Feature Allows Subscribers to Track Vehicle Location

No need to text or call when you've arrived at your destination. Dad can already see that with OnStar family link. (Photo: OnStar/GM)

For as little as 13 cents a day, you can spy on your vehicle’s movements to see if your teenager is really headed to the library like she said she was, or if your wife was coming straight home after the grocery store. Although OnStar’s new functionality with “Family Link” is meant to let users keep tabs on who is driving their car for well-intentioned safety reasons, you can imagine the intra-family tracking that could occur with this new feature.

(Related: GM cancels OnStar policy that tracks you even after cancellation)

As SlashGear says, “it’s a double-edged sword, but it’s a feature that customers want.” According to the press release, the feature was tested with more than 4,500 users and the response was in favor of it. OnStar Vice President of Subscriber Services Joanne Finnorn said in a statement that customers’ feedback was “it provides them peace of mind by staying connected to their family when they’re on the road.”

Here’s what the new feature says it will allow subscribers to do:

  • Vehicle Locate: Subscribers can log onto the Family Link website to view a map with the vehicle’s location at any time.
  • Vehicle Location Alert: Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.
OnStar Family Link Feature Allows Subscribers to Track Vehicle Location

What OnStar Family link would like like for the subscriber. (Image: OnStar/GM)

Wired reports some obvious concerns on the privacy implications of this technology:

“It’s troubling,” says Parker Higgins of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, “Any time a new service like this is introduced you have to think beyond what’s described in the press release.”

OnStar representative Cheryl McCarron concedes that, “We are depending on subscribers to tell other family members that they’ve enabled the service on the vehicle,” but that’s an obvious leap in trust, not to mention the security issues surrounding multiple family members having access to a shared account with one username and password.

Account security aside, the larger issue is maintaining a balance between anonymity and security, and as Higgins points out, “It’s important to remember that you can provide a service that is valuable and useful and still be violating people’s privacy.”

An example OnStar provides for this service is the benefit of not having to call or text to let another family member know you’ve arrived at your destination — they’ll be able to see for themselves. The service, which is available for $3.99 per month and will begin launching mid-April, will only be accessible to the family member with a password. Here is OnStar’s promo video for the feature:

“OnStar continues to evolve because we spend time listening to our subscribers so that we can develop new technologies and applications that meet their needs,” said Finnorn. “Family Link is the result of OnStar turning what they imagine into a solution they can use.”

Comments (39)

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  • wntsmallgov
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:54pm

    on star is a spying device. I refuse to get any kinda of system like that. 1st generation was LoJack

    Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • FreedomPurveyor
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:21pm

    Step 1) Hack into home network
    Step 2) Steal OnStar password
    Step 3) ???
    Step 4) …profit?

    Report Post » FreedomPurveyor  
  • lessoneleg
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:55pm

    As the principal owner of the car being used by my kids. I’m the one responsible for the use, the insurance, and even more where I want it driven. If its being misused by my kids then there are consequences for the use. Anyway, I’m the payee of the insurance and ownership of the vehicle. And if its not being used according to my communication of its use, oh well no car keys.
    I don’t know why this question of worrying about OnStar is really about. Its my property not my kids, they can use the car, but they don’t own it.

    Report Post » lessoneleg  
    • wntsmallgov
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:55pm

      simple rule in my house. They want car, then need to get a job to pay for their car. I will help out with insurance until 1st accident then they are on their own.

      Report Post » wntsmallgov  
    • matamoros
      Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:29pm

      Google is now sharing the info they collect on us with the govt. I wouldn’t be suprised if Onstar also started colluding with them as well. It’s just how things work in this new world order. I guess we can choose to remain unplugged from this matrix, eventually though we’re not going to have a choice. the time is not far (an neither is the technology) where the govt will be able to do a query on you movements and activities with a simple mouse click, and with a simple ping they‘ll know what you’re up to right now. You better get up to speed with your technology folks, because it’s definitely a double-edged sword.

      Report Post »  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:45pm

    Your family, the government and anyone else who can hack the system.

    Report Post » babylonvi  
  • 65Plus
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:30pm

    Do you trust GM? You think that they will sell your every info to insurance, gov’t agencies, like they said they would? [Oops - no, they would never do that!] Cure is simple. Look in your owner’s handbook. On most GM vehicles with Onstar [which desperately needs a keypad for dialing numbers] at the passengers side of the dash is a fuse panel door. Pull the door, and there is one fuse designated…”Onstar.” Get some needle nose pliers with serrated teeth and pull that sucker. Problem solved. If you ever need to restore, put fuze in glove box for possible re-activation. Should drive GM/NSA crazy.

    Report Post » 65Plus  
  • Copo
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 3:26pm

    I‘m fine with it if the government doesn’t use it (which they will) because unlike some people today I CARE about my family’s well being… plus I payed for the car so…

    Report Post » Copo  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:28pm

      Did my wife put them up to this?

      Report Post »  
    • wntsmallgov
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 11:57pm

      I want to protect my family as well but at what point do we as parents say go fly and remember you are responsible for your own actions. If my kids want a car they need to get a job and pay for it.

      Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • ADNIL
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:05pm

    If you don’t like this, google up obamacare page 1001 and read about the plan to RFID chip everyone starting a year from now. The chip will have a GPS, all of our personal medical and financial information, and God knows what other capabilities it will have. And, without it you do not get medical attention. OMG!

    I will not comply!

    Report Post »  
    • SadButTrue
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:24pm

      I will forgo medical treatment. Time for everyone to get passports NOW!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • neoconpunk
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:03pm

    PS, since it’s based on cell towers, you need a min of 3 towers to get a solid location. If you only have 1 tower you get a 10 mile radius. So, if you’re kids drive to a remote location to make out……………

    Report Post »  
  • neoconpunk
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:54pm

    This has always been the case with OnStar. It’s based on cellphone technology and you can do the same thing with your kids cell phones. They’re just giving to the consumer what the OnStar operators have always had access to. Why you ask? Money. Now you can find your own car instead of calling OnStar AND they’re charging extra for that.

    Report Post »  
  • MaidenAmerica
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:00pm

    Just one more step towards what is increasingly becoming a police state. Obama and the radical left are well on their way to bringing socialism, communism and anarchy to the U.S. Next they’ll be burning the Constitution, anyone for a bet?

    Report Post » MaidenAmerica  
  • proudamerican1990
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:58pm

    good and bad.

    Bad- it’s creepy BIg Brother
    Good- What if you tragically get kidnapped or something, then you know where you last were.

    Report Post »  
  • so3
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:33pm

    To hell with all this. I know for a fact the gov’t uses OnStar to track undesirables. Why on Earth anyone would willfully allow themselves into this I have no idea. Sheep.

    Report Post »  
  • Bluedog78
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:32pm

    Ah, I see Liz Klimas has all the tinfoil wearing loons trembling in their boots now!! You guys crack me up, and I bet Liz is laughing at you guys right along with me!!

    Report Post » Bluedog78  
  • Brontefan
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:40am

    You have to remember, the next step is constant monitoring of American citizens. The 0bama administration is probably setting this up now, if they haven’t done so already. Get ready.. for fewer and fewer rights and privileges. Our Bill of Rights is currently under attack and pretty soon the US Constitution won’t be used at al. I don’t know what or to whom the politicians will swear their allegiance to but we already have 70 Congressmen & women who are members of the Socialist Democratic party–a Marxist organization.

    Report Post »  
  • PPMStudios
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:33am

    The headline (teaser) does say “lets you spy on where family members drive YOUR car.”

    I figure if it’s mine I have EVERY right to know where it is.

    The government knowing is a different argument altogether!

    Report Post » PPMStudios  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:25am

    I was parrusing a chebby dealership, just window-shopping, and all cars have alstar with 1yr free contract…you can’t get out of it…I told them until they make this crap optional, I and none of my neighbors+friends( I have over 200) will not buy any gm unledss it is used, and less then 2007, and the “item WILL be removed after purchase plus any ”boxes” transmitting. One if my older neighbors found a “box” after he bought a gm and it-and-onstar “just dissapeared” during the next weekorso. He is a dem/lib, also!

    Report Post »  
  • tbtall
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:09am

    Now you and Michelle O can look at the location of the family vehicle. Internet and location tracking will be the muscle of tyranny that will put us back into the age of CB radios and walkie talkies. No Cell phones, no internet.

    Report Post »  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:46am

    Exactly why I will NOT buy a car equipped with spy gear built in. If you can track so can the government. A car equipped with Onstar can have the engine shut off remotely which is something I do not want. I also refuse to buy a car equipped with a “Smart Airbag” with a data recorder that can be used as evidence against me in court.

    But WTF buy a car and forfeit your fourth amendment rights. DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE!!!!!

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • billrow
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:46am

    If you pay the car note or own the vehicle you have every right to know it’s whereabouts.

    As long as the government doesn’t get to use it, I think it’s a good idea.

    Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:56am

      as long as the gov. doesn’t get to use it
      who do you think is 1st in line

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:12am

      Onstar = GM = Government Motors = Government.

      Report Post »  
    • fatjack
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:25pm

      You can also get obama commercials. My nephew told me yesterday while coming home from a out of state dog show. A voice spoke up and said, welcome to OnStar and said according to records he was an obama contributor last elections. Onstart is contacting all previous contributors and asking for a small contribution. My nephew said he never contributed to obama. She said well would you like to make a small donation this time. My nephew told her he would donate to satan before giving a penny to obama, the conversation ended.

      Report Post » fatjack  
  • hi
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:38am

    When you have a teenager, you have to trust but verity as long as they know you are verifying. I drug test my kids. My son said he was able to avoid sketchy situations twice now claiming that he gets drug tested. It’s an out for them. Drugs ruin lives. Anyway , I’m going to look into this.

    Report Post » hi  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:20am

      Good idea – If I am lucky enough to have some kids one day, I’ll try to remember that.

      Being in sports was always my out. Couldn’t be a champ with lungs full of smoke or lazy on weed. I saw some kids who didn’t have that out…. they didn’t want to be outsiders & had no excuse, so they gave in.

      Report Post »  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:27am

    Why is it troubling? I couldn’t care less if my loved ones knew where I drived. Honestly, a lot of you people are way too paranoid. You see a genocidal FEMA camp behind every mailbox.

    Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:43am

      Because to some of us, The 4th Amendment means something. We don‘t ’shoulder shrug’ it off as unimportant. History has taught us that apathy has grave consequences.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:23am

      How long ago was Rwanda?

      It can happen – you’d be amazed how quickly our society could break down.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:21am

    .
    What the Hell did we do without this stuff? We’re lucky to have lived this long…..

    I just wonder how long till some jealous spouse uses this to track down the “One They Love”, and Shoots them Dead?….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Tryharder
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:17am

    Should we call this Big Brother or Big Daddy is watching you? Amazing how all the sci fi stories of the past are now reality–drones overhead, spying without anyone detecting. Again, all the good intentions of protecting one’s family has the temptation to be used for malice.

    How to convince the naive or the ignorant among us of the creeping erosion of privacy is the real question & issue?

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:03am

    ‘But this technology will make it easier for you to….”..fill in the blank people. Too many people in society with the attitude of ‘convenience for me’ just tossing their rights into the gutter..sad mis-informed lemmings.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • brntout
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:02am

    And we were upset about aerial drones keeping tabs on us.With the advent of GPS,something wicked this way comes.

    Report Post »  
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