Many automobile dealerships are using a new technology that enables them to “turn your car off”. By installing a “black box” under the dashboard they can remotely disable the ignition and make the horn honk. It is being used to remind customers that their payment is overdue or disables the ignition so they can repossess the car.
Companies like Pay Technologies provide the devices to car dealerships. It also includes GPS tracking device so dealerships know where the car is at all times.
Recently a hacker was able to get into the system in Austin, Texas, and disabled about 100 cars and had the horns honking.
The fact that this remote immobilization system is vulnerable to hackers also brings to mind that “BIG BROTHER” could easily use this technology to track you down. Ken McEldowney, executive director of Consumer Action, a national non-profit group based in San Francisco said, “It just sounds like Big Brother run amok. There’s got to be a more respectful, less intrusive way of doing this that isn’t so demeaning. I think it’s the level of control that bothers me”
Although the system will not stop a running car (that would be dangerous), it could leave you stranded in a remote area or in a dangerous situation. It was designed to deter repo’s and, if payments are not made, make it easier for dealerships to locate, disable and repossess a car when the customer is in default.
