[eye30]

All new cars and vans in Britain and Europe will have to be fitted with automatic 'SOS' black boxes within three years, the EU has ruled. 

The emergency calling devices will be mandatory from April 2018 under new rules approved by European Union lawmakers on Tuesday – despite opposition from the UK's Conservative led Government on grounds of cost. 

Critics also fear that the system smacks of 'Big Brother' and are not convinced that drivers' privacy will be adequately safe-guarded by the new 'spy in the cab' from Brussels.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-3062401/New-cars-vans-fitted-SOS-black-box-2018-EU-approves-rules-despite-Big-Brother-fears.html

[Phil №❶]

Critics also fear that the system smacks of 'Big Brother' and are not convinced that drivers' privacy will be adequately safe-guarded by the new 'spy in the cab' from Brussels.

Ab so bleedin lutely.

[FatBoy]

I agree with you, Phil.   

I have both a Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder operating in my aircraft, due to legislation on passenger carrying aircraft.  However, the information contained in these can only be legally accessed after an accident or serious incident (loss of life, damage, etc).  Also, the information is only to be used to determine the cause of the accident/incident, and cannot be used to prosecute and/or investigate possible criminal actions.  In other words, it can't be used anywhere but in aircraft crash investigations, it can't be used in courts to find a pilot/crew guilty of any action/inaction.

I wonder if the car black boxes will have the same safeguards?

[Phil №❶]

Cameras and BCM Air Bag devices ARE used to prosecute, in USA, not to mention allowing insurers to slip through loopholes, to avoid payouts. EU will surely adopt the same policies. 

I will say that in the event of an accident where all occupants are unconscious, this would be a good device to have, but only under those circumstances. 95% of the time there is usually a hand held mobile available from a passer by or occupant, (used to film the gory details and post on Ewe Tube).