Topic: Gps Black Box

California is exploring a new road tax system that uses GPS "black boxes" to track mileage, as declining gasoline tax revenue fails to cover infrastructure costs. The system would charge drivers based on miles driven rather than fuel consumed. The discussion touches on the legality of GPS jammers and the potential for "Slave Compliance Data" devices to feed fake, positive data to government trackers.

Insurance providers in the Netherlands are introducing GPS "black boxes" that monitor driving habits in exchange for lower rates. The hosts warn that this technology, already present in many U.S. vehicles for airbag deployment, will eventually be used to deny insurance claims based on radio volume or other minor driving behaviors.

Proposed mandates for black boxes in all new vehicles are characterized as a tool for government surveillance and revenue collection. Predictions are made that authorities will eventually use GPS data from these devices during smog checks to issue retroactive speeding tickets based on average travel speeds.

The hosts warn that EPA reporting requirements will lead to mandatory monitoring of individual carbon footprints, similar to systems in the UK and the Netherlands. They predict the implementation of GPS-based black boxes in cars and expanded license plate recognition to facilitate "congestion charges" and taxes on movement. Lisa Jackson is criticized for claiming these regulations will "save money."