Ford seeks to remotely repossess cars after missed payments in US patent

[infullview]

Behind on your car payments? Your car could soon be driving itself to the pound. Ford Motor Company has applied for a patent that would enable a computer to disable a vehicle or component of a vehicle over delinquent car payments and could lead to cars self-driving themselves to repossession lots.

The patent application published last month claims to seek a solution to car owners being unwilling to have their vehicles repossessed by remotely disabling the vehicle or a component of the vehicle if a delinquency notice isn’t acknowledged over a certain period of time.

“When an acknowledgement is not received within a reasonable period of time, the first computer may disable a functionality (radio, air-conditioner, etc) or may place the vehicle in a lockout condition,” states the patent application published in February as part of a public review of the patent process.

. . . . . .

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/03/ford-reposses-patent-remote-lock

An idea that will backfire spectacularly if they decide to build it into Ford cars. The reason this is a bad idea is because it invites hackers to decode how to disable your car and force you to pay a ransom to unlock it. Yes, Ford may come out with a patch to fix it, but it will be an ongoing maintenance nightmare for them over time.

Not "a better idea".

[PJMcK]

1. You're right that this is a terrible idea

But it’s important to know that many patent applications are denied. Of those that are granted, many never make it to the consumers. Some applications are for ideas that are conceptual and the applicant is simply protecting the product or process.

This repossession idea is too futuristic and seems open to trouble.

[patphil]

2. I can't imagine anyone buying a car from a company that installed that technology.

Not only does it make the owner subject to ransom attacks, but it makes it easier to steal the car.
Criminals wouldn't even have to be on the scene.
And then there's the terrorism possibilities. Seize control of a car and then use it to kill someone.
This makes the Edsel only the 2nd dumbest idea that Ford ever had.

[3Hotdogs]

6. --- not sure about that. I had a car that cops could disable if it was reported stolen, Cop shot

would send a satellite signal and the car would slow down over a couple of minutes until it came to a complete stop. There was no indication that thieves hacked this systemm.

[patphil]

7. Probably so few cars had this that it wasn't worth the effort to find one to hack/

If it becomes the norm, you can expect hackers will go after these cars.

[brush]

3. Not to mention a simple low-tech workaround...

a locked garage.

[royable]

5. Or a boot on a tire. Or blocked in by a wall and another car.

[BootinUp]

4. People get paid to come up with this shit. nt

[Wonder Why]

8. What could go wrong with that idea? Like Hertz which wrongly reported people

legitimately renting their cars for theft resulting in them getting arrested, Ford employees could make similar mistakes.