Vehicle Data Collection andEvent Data RecordsYour vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has anumber of sophisticated computer systems that monitorand control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitoremission control components to optimize fuel economy,to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if soequipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help thedriver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.Some information may be stored during regularoperations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;other information is stored only in a crash or near crashevent by computer systems commonly called event datarecorders (EDR).In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, suchas the Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) inyour vehicle may record information about the conditionof the vehicle and how it was operated, such as enginespeed, brake applications, throttle position, vehiclespeed, seat belt usage, airbag readiness, airbagperformance data, and the severity of a collision.This information has been used to improve vehiclecrash performance and may be used to improve crashperformance of future vehicles and driving safety.Unlike the data recorders on many airplanes, theseon-board systems do not record sounds, such asconversation of vehicle occupants.To read this information, special equipment is neededand access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.GM will not access information about a crash event orshare it with others other than• with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if thevehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,• in response to an official request of police or similargovernment office,• as part of GM’s defense of litigation through thediscovery process, or• as required by law.In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may• use the data for GM research needs,• make it available for research where appropriateconfidentiality is to be maintained and need isshown, or• share summary data which is not tied to a specificvehicle with non-GM organizations for researchpurposes.Others, such as law enforcement, may have access tothe special equipment that can read the informationif they have access to the vehicle or SDM.If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar, please checkthe OnStar subscription service agreement or manual forinformation on its operations and data collection.7-10
