Cash for Clunkers Gov. Website gives government ownership of your computer (really)

Glen Beck Show | 7/31/09

[pabianice]

Beck just showed an eyefill. The Government's Cash for Clunkers Website requires user to click on "accept" for a disclaimer. What a disclaimer! If you click "ok" it says in fine print that your computer is now considered the property of the Federal Government, including all content on your computer, and gives access to both the US and foreign governments. I am not making this up. Beck's computer froze because of heavy website use.

[mware]

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

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"It may not come up unless you are filing an application, but be careful, as once you hit wrong button your computer belongs to gov’t."

Here: "You hit a wrong button, and now your goldfish belongs to Garfield." It's on the Internet so it must be true.

Seriously. What URL? Is there any evidence whatsoever that the government was involved?

My scam-o-meter is pegged. Yours should be too. And Beck... oh Glenn, you really swallowed this one hard.

[Kackikat]

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

[Tuxedo]

It was www.cars.gov that he went to. First time I have ever watched Glenn Beck’s show (have heard him on the radio a lot) and it seemed very apocalyptic - like something broadcast on pirate radio or something from an underground movement in an oppressed country. Kind of made me a little fearful overall. Not sure what to make of it - is it really that bad out there, or is he just a sensationalist?

[clintonh8r]

I saw the show and here's what I recall....

It isn't a "disclaimer" as some here have described it. It's an acceptance of terms of service. Once you "accept" then the government has access to your computer and everything on it, and may share the information with other government agencies as well as law enfrocement agencies and FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

Now, my memory could be wrong, but it was pretty damn shocking. I hope someone has the skills to post the actual segment here.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

" This isn’t my POST, but I saw it on Glenn Beck show too,...so go to his website for your questions or comments."

Beck's site was my first stop. Nothing there.

I see people are now saying this is on a dealer-login thing, not the Pournelle link. I'm throwing up my hands and waiting for cool heads to prevail and real facts to emerge.

Geez Louise, folks. Obama has us all so exercised that we're having heart attacks at shadows. Calm down.

[Kackikat]

Maybe you should get facts before flipping out...go to GLENN BECK WEBSITE, or are you a troll?

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"That was what Beck had on the TV because his computer had locked up. I just used the pause button on the tv."

Thanks. So we still know nothing. I'm outta here. This is freakin' ridiculous.

[whodathunkit]

Again...

The site he was at was the dealer login, not the one for the consumer.

Not that it is any less alarming, the dealers are citizens too.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Maybe you should get facts before flipping out...go to GLENN BECK WEBSITE, or are you a troll?"

Look, jackass. I went there as my first stop, and there was nothing there on this topic. Maybe there is now; if so then why not share a URL. Back the hell off and post some actionable, traceable links. Right now we come off as a bunch of brittle, fulminating fools, ready to unload our Glocks at the next cricket to chirp. Honest to Betsy, some of us are really gullible.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I guess that covers their hineys from being sued if CARS trashes or spies your computer. But that would be like my computer becoming owned by TurboTax or the IRS when I file my taxes online.

[George from New England]

Now wanna bet that the dealers, when they submit the app for their money, are required to use your personal SSN and that your private SSN will be part of the domestic and foreign shared data?

[Eagle Eye]

Now that would make a hugh difference. Dealer vs citizen.

[nomoremods]

Yes and the Feds would have access to all of the files on those dealers’ computers, meaning every consumer or applicant’s information will now belong to the federal government.

[Sparko]

Thanks. I had watched the show but missed the .gov part. Just rewatched it via this link

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

[RetroSexual]

Too damn many crickets out there anyway....

[rvoitier]

[Kackikat]

I gave you a link to a website that gave the info on the show...what is your mental problem.

[kenth]

Dealer section, submit transaction, then the next screen is the dealer login and shows this above the login boxes:

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 United States Government. It is for authorized use only. Users (authorized or unauthorized) have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy.

Any or 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. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion CARS or the DoT personnel.

Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in administrative disciplinary action and civil and criminal penalties.

Unauthorized attempts to defeat or circumvent security features, to use the system for other than intended purposes, to deny service to authorized users, to access, obtain, alter, damage, or destroy information, or otherwise to interfere with the system or its operation are prohibited. Evidence of such acts may be disclosed to law enforcement authorities and result in criminal prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-474) and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-294), (18 U.S.C. 1030), or other applicable criminal laws.

[rvoitier]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2305561/posts?page=97#97