Relying on the car’s built-in Performance Data Recorder, the 2015 Stingray’s Valet Mode is capable of recording HD video and in-car audio. The system is intended to make you feel a little more comfortable leaving your keys with the pimply-faced valet attendant but, according to General Motors, valet mode may actually be illegal to use.
“To help our customers use the Performance Data Recorder (UQT) consistent with legal requirements that pertain to audio recording devices, we will be requiring a very important update to the system of each affected vehicle in the near future,” GM said in a statement issued to dealers that was obtained by fan site Corvette Forum. “We expect that the update will be available early next month.”
The document continued: “In the meantime, you must advise any customers who take delivery of an impacted vehicle that they should refrain from using the Valet Mode until the update takes place. If they do use the Valet Mode, they should (i) notify any occupants of the vehicle that they will be recorded while in the vehicle, and (ii) obtain their consent to this recording. It is very important that you explain this to each customer at the time of delivery.”
The legal issues with Valet Mode reportedly vary from state to state, but GM is issuing the blanket warning just to cover itself. GM hasn’t detail the update it is working on for Valet Mode, but disabling in-car audio recordings is likely the system’s only fix.
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