Question:
is this true about cash for clunkers?
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:29:25 UTC
that if you participate online, that the fine print that the participant must agree too, essentially makes the government the owner of all files on the computer and the operating system itself. is this true?
Seventeen answers:
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:44:09 UTC
That is what I saw. When you click on the web site that is the small print and if you agree then you are giving that permission.
Jason Y
2009-07-31 16:59:59 UTC
As directly quoted by Glenn Beck reading from the Privacy Policy statement on the cars.gov site, that you must agree to in order to proceed with the program, the policy does state that your computer, while connected to the DoT CARS system, is part of the federal system and thus any information, files, etc. therein is subsequently property of the US Government and may be taken, used, audited, edited, or otherwise accessed. This is not the exact language as I didn't transcribe the policy as directly quoted by Mr. Beck on his show on 7/31/09. The clip is linked to in an earlier post and you can listen for yourself for the exact verbiage.



Now, is the government taking advantage of this? No one has definitively stated that they have, however any participant in the CARS program is subject to this clause and could be exploited. I make no accusation that such abuse, though legal, has happened.



This is exactly the sort of stuff that the ACLU is, allegedly, all about preventing or stopping. Do we hear a peep from them? No, but if this were a Bush Administration policy old W would have a microscope up his toocus (sp?) at this point.
SammyCal
2009-08-01 22:08:35 UTC
So what Glenn Beck is talking about doesn't apply to the consumer, the person turning in the clunker, it applies to the dealer accepting the clunker although this should not make us feel any better.



The DOT CARS site and the dealer's computer have to share information and while connected, the dealer's computer is a de facto part of the government network. What is disturbing in the language that the dealer has to agree to is that all files on their system are fair game for the government, i.e. the government could snoop for tax information, information on employee's immigration status. Is the Fed likely to? I dunno, when Bush was President the left was sure it would and more, now DailyKos mocks Beck for his concern. Some consistency would be nice.
C D
2009-08-01 08:20:10 UTC
You can believe these`folks who worship Obama, or you can wake up and protect yourself.



Beck Exposes 'Cash for Clunkers' Language Giving Feds Authority to Take Control of Computers

Fox News legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle warns it gives government authority to track computers 'basically forever.'



By Jeff Poor

Business & Media Institute

7/31/2009 9:24:23 PM



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Say what you want about the Fox News Channel’s Glenn Beck and his antics, but to give credit where credit is due, he exposed some disturbing language from the Obama administration’s “Cash for Clunker” program Web site Cars.gov.



Beck on his July 31 program hosted a segment aboutthe Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) Web site, also known as “Cash for Clunkers” and demonstrated what a Web browser would encounter when logging on to the system.



“Here is Cars.gov. Let’s say you go in, if I understand this right – I go in and I say, ‘I want to turn in my clunker.’ The dealer goes to Cars.gov, and then they hit submit transaction. Here it says, ‘Privacy Act & Security Statement,’ and you’re just like, ‘Oh, it’s the Privacy Act of 1974. Whatever, I agree. Now, this is how bad this system is.”



However, once the Web operator proceeds beyond that point in the dealers section – the government has some very frightening language about what authority they have over your computer posted, as Beck reported. Ordinary consumers wouldn’t encounter this warning, but the information contained in the dealer’s computers might include theirs.



“A warning box comes up, and it says, ‘This application provides to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a federal computer system and it is property of the United States government,’” Beck read. “‘Any and all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign.’”



“Good God almighty!” Beck said.



Kimberly Guilfoyle, a legal analyst for Fox News interpreted the language to mean the government has very broad authority over your computer – including the ability to seize personal and private information.



“Could it be any more broad or frightening?” Guilfoyle said. “Here you are trying to be a good citizen and make a charitable contribution, do something that’s good and guess what – they are jumping right inside you, seizing all of your personal and private information and it’s absolutely legal Glenn.”



Guilfoyle also said legally the government can use Web software to track your computer any time they want once you’ve logged into the site.



“They can continue to track you basically forever,” Guilfoyle said. “Once they’ve tapped into your system, and the government of course has like malware systems and tracking cookies – they can tap in any time they want.”
MamaMilly
2009-08-01 15:25:42 UTC
Here is some of what the pricy policy says...



"We collect information about your visit that does not identify you personally. We can tell the computer, browser, and web service you are using. We also know the date, time, and pages you visit. Collecting this information helps us design the site to suit your needs. In the event of a known security or virus threat, we may collect information on the web content you view."
TheRedEditor
2009-07-31 23:01:00 UTC
True, VERY true. People who simply call this a scare tactic from the conservatives are ignorant and have no idea how to or when to protect their own rights.



All you have to do is read the government's own TOS and Privacy Agreement...just as Glenn Beck did for his viewing audience. Here's the link: http://bit.ly/ruzUp



Don't be fooled by people who fool themselves. If it's a LEGAL agreement between you and the US gov...are any of the people who called it a scare tactic going to come save you when it's time? Save yourself; read the text and recognize that it is legally binding agreement you're making.
J
2009-07-31 15:46:58 UTC
Glenn Beck exposes a privacy agreement on the "Cash for Clunkers" website that in part reads:



“This application provides access to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is the property of the US Government. Any or all uses of this system and all files may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT, and law enforcement personal, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign."



http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/07/31/beck_exposes_carsgov_privacy_agreement_that_taps_into_users_pc.html



Doug B, ANGIE, Sassy One here you go http://www.cars.gov/dealersupport/submit-transaction
Doug B
2009-07-31 17:36:27 UTC
Here's the website.



http://www.cars.gov/



Show me this fine print.



Additionally, you cannot participate online, since the program requires that you physically turn in your old car, buy a new one, and submit actual paperwork.
alien_investor_2
2009-07-31 21:35:04 UTC
https://supplierpayments.esc.gov/OA_HTML/RF.jsp?function_id=28716



"When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is the property of the United States Government."
anonymous
2009-08-01 07:38:56 UTC
and even IFFFFFFFFFF that were true????



so like , what's he gonna do?



read my emails to my sister?



report to the FBI that I read the Foamy the Squirrel Website?



Yeah, have at it...........



I am sure he will find my niece's travel arrangements to come see me, really fascinating.



Of course...........only the tin foil hat types believe this tripe........and GLEN BECK?!?!?!??!?



well, there ya go!



In case people don't realize it.............he's a COMEDIAN!!!!!!!



It's SCHTICK...........you know..........like Jon Stewart........except Jon Stewart is actually FUNNY, and witty.....and Intelligent.



People like Rush and Hannity and Beck.........they are the retards comedians....people who listen to them, and take them SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!



Oh my GOD! You CANNOT be serious?!?!?!??!??!



If you are taking FAUX News COMEDIANS, seriously..................



holy cow............you need help.
anonymous
2016-05-25 05:21:29 UTC
The statement is false. The Obama bumper stickers are still there. But the rest of the statement is true.
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:46:48 UTC
You mean they are the owner of the information on their own computer?

This just means they have a right to the information that you have freely given them - otherwise how would they run the program? Or make sure people don't abuse it or run scams?

I think you are overreacting to things written by lawyers to people trying to file frivilous lawsuits over silly privacy issues.
Sassy One
2009-07-31 15:51:32 UTC
No, more fear from the right. This program is a resounding success.

They just put 2 billion more in it today. Car sales are way up. Obama is brilliant.
i_was_myself
2009-07-31 15:32:52 UTC
No, and it wouldn't be legal or enforceable even if it were there.



Cute try. Next time try something believable.
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:33:34 UTC
sure is, scary thought huh??? i hope you didn't vote for the guy!!!



the guy above me doesn't know what he's talking about, IT'S LEGAL !!!!!
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:53:42 UTC
Conspiracy theories are becoming tiresome.
anonymous
2009-07-31 15:36:17 UTC
No!





Where do you get this crap?!?!


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