We all have to understand what "data" is and how it's being used to manipulate you to do what others want, for their own purposes. Yes, information about the operation of a device you "bought" should be provided to you, for whatever reason you might have. The contents of things you eat should be disclosed, but it is not. Do you know what's in chopped meat? Peanut butter? Scotch whisky? No, you don't, it's never disclosed. John Deere and others now do not disclose information about how their products work and what is happening that causes it to fail, but rather transmit it to the company via electronic data. When a combine breaks down in the middle of a corn field in Iowa John Deere knows it, and the operator knows it stopped working, but only John Deere can fix it. The local repair service that would have the ability to go to the field and do the work is left out. Since most of this type of equipment is leased the people harvesting the corn don't have an ownership interest in the machinery, so they have to wait for Deere. The bigger issue is that the maker knows who you are, where you are, how fast you are driving, how hard you brake, where you shop and when and whether you are alone or with others. They can see your face, they can probably get your fingerprints, they can listen to you talk and assess what you want to buy. They can learn your music preferences from Pandora. They can know you like Chevron gas, that you shop at Whole Foods or Costco. The problem is much bigger than cars, and the resolution will come slowly and painfully.
... View more