[TomH]

OnStar is not a Big Brother "stooge." Think of them as a conduit. Events like air bag deployments, pushing the blue button, and check engine lights are all (small) discrete messages that can be easily transmitted. Vis-à-vis the "black box" idea, On-Star is limited to what already exists in the PCM and can add GPS data. OnStar cannot capture a complete "freeze frame" and can only transmit (some) DTC (Trouble Codes) but NOT the PIDs (Sensor values). Even before you consider OnStar's contractual relationship with their customers (OnStar's customer is the subscriber. OnStar even asks for permission - Driver's choice - before calling the ambulance/police. ), the bandwidth, communications protocol, and available storage capacity combine to suggest that the "Big Brother" stuff is strictly "urban legend."