Garmin is watching you

Here's an idea. Edit the log file(s) and add all sorts of random data. You'll have them scratching their heads wondering what kind of lunatic drives like that.

I'm not sure I want them tracking me like you say. If you registered your GPS, they know who you are and where you've been.

This EULA is aimed at devices such as the Fitness line (305,310XT, Edge 705...running, cycling, triathlon)or hiking/off-road devices where the user WANTS to upload track data and analyze routes, calories, times, elevation gain/loss, etc. Nothing evil about that - it's a service. See http://connect.garmin.com

I for one have nothing to hide!

As is http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/ which is cited on the AFDB site. Nice to know what the bright folks at MIT are up to...

No place in the agreement does it say that it is ONLY applicable to units with free traffic.

I pay for traffic. I paid for the GPS. I paid for the Maps AND I mind.

Interesting find.

Yikes... Guess i never thought about them collecting info on you for free traffic. I'm sure with the MSN ones, they're collecting just about the same amount for Microsoft, nO?

Well, there are rumors of garmin possibly making a phone....so....

new cars already have gps trackers built into them and even microphones and they can listen in on what you are talking about.. and even your cell phone can track and trace you and the government can tap into the microphone on that and listen in.

big brother on steroids.

..the Terms & Conditions. It does NOT say that it ONLY collects data from users of "free traffic", nor any traffic. It states that it will collect data whenever you connect your device via communicator plug-in.

That would include devices that don't even have traffic!

It is NOT a matter of giving up information in exchange for a free service. They are taking the information every time you update your device without anything in exchange.

What do you think is goign to happen when more "Connected" GPS's start comming out. With them it will be possible to track you real time! Of course, they can do that right now with your cell phone.

When you delete the data are you sure you are getting all of it?
There may be hidden tracklogs in device we may not know about.

You can go, just don't take your GPS to the potty with you!!

Hee hee. So YOU think. Depends on your point of view, and what someone ELSE thinks, doesn't it?

So they are going to track me going to my Aunt Tilly's? (Once they meet her, they won't want to go back again.) If you are not doing anything illegal, I don't see why anyone would care if Garmin is tracking your movements. I really don't think they care if you go to work, or to Big Lot's. I think they have more important stuff to do; e.g.; like how much money they are making or how much they are going to charge you for the next GPS unit that you absolutely must have.

How's Aunt Tilly's neighbor's terrorist watch list status? Her place isn't adjacent to a known drug trafficking street or alley, is it?

..just sayin'. I can't help myself.

who isn't watching you these days?

you guys are paranoid. layoff the scifi channel! i think unless you are doing something illegal.. then you MIGHT be worried. but if youre not who cares. i am not a celebrity with $ to hide. garmin is the least of my problems. IMHO.

Amen, brother...

If they had a decent turn by turn system I wouldn't have to use my Garmin. besides I have nothing to hide.

I was jsut thinking the same thing. Either that, or just turn my GPS off when I visit the brothel or go buy crack down at the corner of 4th and Main, er... i mean....well...nevermind...

Besides, my GPS is generally not on most of the time to be honest. I dont NEED it for my typical day, work - 7/11 for smokes - Alberton's for groceries. i use it a lot for places I DONT visit often - or am visiting for the 1st time...often to see what it suggests, and also becasue there are a few areas here where in a matter of 1/2 mile, you end up going through like 4 cities because of the odd way the city limits are drawn in some places.

That's because you never programmed Karen to say dirty things to you... LOL!

I don't so much mind the tracking- I enabled it on another device for google traffic.
I do think if I am going to be tracked I SHOULD be notified, and have the option to opt out.
Also, how the data is used and who(m) it will be shared or sold to.

Dont give him ideas, Turbo

"OOOH - I wouldn't go there if I were you!" and "You're really not going to take a nice girl like me into a place like that are you?" and even "Ha ha ha you call that a what?"

LOL!

The only known way to stop the signals is to wear a Stainless Steel Kitchen Colander on your head. Keep an eye on woot for a good one.

You can really make a fashion statement wearing this Beanie as well as blocking all those thought waves floating around through the air.

my tin foil hat is stylish and multifunctional.

you superglue one over the top of your Nuvi, it makes a great sunshade.

SOME new cars have GPSs and microphones built in (OnStar's built in cellphone and accident assistance service). And yes, for the last several years, Cell phones have had location aware chips ostensibly for 911 services.

Now be aware, that a heavy dose of Probable Cause, and often a court order, are required before such info can be used (unless you call 911 on your cell phone, or in the case of OnStar, the collision detection is triggered).

Of course theoretically - some bureaucrat may be, well, enjoying himself in some back office tracking my trips to McDonalds and Circle K, but I can pretty much guarantee he'd be figuratively if not literally lynched if he made such info public without said Probable Cause or Court Order. Americans still

Don't forget Big Brother is watching us too.

They'll just add Garmin's data to their collection of sources used to generate demographic profiles on us.

This thread talked about the 760 blanking the screen when powering off but still in the cradle. It's still "on" even though the power switch is off.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/18645
So how do you know it's REALLY off?

As my grandfather told me years ago and innocent person has nothing to fear but fear itself.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/23019/

As an aside, you do realize that in today's society it is impossible to be "off the grid". For a few $$'s anyone can find out everything about anyone else.

Remember the government is not your friend.

I thought that the traffic data was a one-way line ... meaning that the traffic was downloaded by that your system didn't transmit data back out. I guess I was wrong.

You are correct ... the traffic device is a receiver only, and does not transmit data.

Hi all, can someone tell me what is the garmin communicator plug-in? Is it some optional software to be installed on your GPS device ?

Thanks

It is a browser plugin. See here: http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/

1984 is real close. 9/11 made it that much closer.

Not a nutty ranting, just saying that we're under surveillance all the time. Terrorism in the US gave them tons more power.

In today's world, you never know who is watching or listening to you. Not to be paranoid but there are a lot of really high-tech devices out there that can capture images and conversations. You can't go around worrying about it.

To be honest, i think my aunt was the model for Dana carvey's Church Lady. I DO NOT tell her about my trips to the local buddhist temple. more trouble than its worth. If that trip log somehow got leaked to her I would be out to lynch someone....

Let me add, that a gay friend of mine is still a bit sensitive about being "outed" in front of people he doesnt know very well. He's generaly very open around people he knows well, but still, i learned today that even in front of someone that knows he's gay, but is still new to him, he dislikes a 3rd party mentioning that he's gay. GPS logs could easily be used for such purposes - aka trips to well known gay bars/nightclubs/etc.

Another concern is this: In the legal system its often very difficult to compel a person to turn over data that could incriminate them - 4th amendment and all. When a 3rd party has that data, its much easier. So this thing about Garmin software uploading track data from GPSs makes it very easy to bypass 4th amendment issues.

Ok... Now, I think I have better understanding on who are afraid of being tracked...

"Don't ask, Don't tell" policy should be honored in cyberspace.

"Don't ask, Don't tell" policy should be honored in cyberspace.[/quote]

good point...should be...

wastes a lot of gas

Well, it wouldn't be free for anybody otherwise. Of course, they should disable it for devices with no free traffic service.