Software terms

View Mobile App Software Consent

Last updated: May 1, 2018

Using your vehicle’s wireless connectivity, GM has the ability to remotely update software installed on your vehicle.  

These Software Terms set out the terms associated with software updates on your GM vehicle. Before you sell or otherwise transfer your vehicle to another person, it is important that you inform GM of the sale or transfer by calling GM at one of our phone numbers set out below, or by pushing the OnStar button in your vehicle. You can find a current version of these Software Terms on www.onstar.ca or www.gm.ca.

Three categories of software may be installed on the computer systems in your vehicle:

• the GM vehicle operating system: software that manages and operates core vehicle functions and systems, such as engine performance and control, transmission control, emission control, anti-lock brakes, seat belt tension settings, roll over detection, vehicle stability control, traction control, advanced driver assistance systems, and vehicle theft deterrence.

• the GM connected vehicle system: software that manages and operates communications, human machine interface and infotainment systems that may be included in your GM vehicle, such as OnStar and software to access our application shop.

• applications: any application software that is designed to run on the GM connected vehicle system, such as a weather app or content-based app (e.g. news, music, sports, etc.).
  

You agree to the installation and use of this software and understand and agree that this software will cause your vehicle to communicate with GM servers automatically to collect information about vehicle system status, identify if updates are available and to deliver the updates.   

From time to time, GM may, but is not required to, remotely and automatically update the software pre-installed on your vehicle. These updates are designed to: 

• fix or prevent a problem;

• enhance the performance, safety, stability or security of your vehicle, our network or the software itself;
  

• enhance, change, or remove features, functionality or services; or

• delete software, including for reasons relating to the performance, safety, stability or security of your vehicle which are not able to be corrected through an update, if the software is obsolete, or if there are legal reasons such as claims of intellectual property infringement that GM elects to discontinue the software, or if GM, in its discretion, has elected to stop offering the software for any reason. 

Updates may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced versions, modifications, upgrades, deletions, new modules or new versions (including replacing out-dated versions).

In limited cases, the installation of an update may result in: (i) changes to settings or preferences already selected by you or changes to (or interference with) data stored on your vehicle, (ii) changes on the mobile device you may use to connect to use a program, or (iii) personal information being collected from the vehicle or mobile device (as described in the applicable privacy statement), or (iv) vehicle system and status information being collected from the vehicle. You understand and agree that updates remotely installed by GM may have these impacts or may result in the collection of this information. While we will try to minimize any other impact of an update, we are not able to guarantee that you will not otherwise be affected.

You agree to the installation of these updates, including an update that deletes software, and authorize GM to automatically remotely install them without any notice or liability to you.

Some of the software installed on your vehicle will automatically connect to GM’s servers to determine whether updates to the program are available. When an update is available, GM may automatically install it using wireless communications.

In some circumstances, GM may not be able to remotely install an update, such as if GM cannot wirelessly connect to your vehicle. If the problem is connectivity, GM will try to install the update once it is able to re-connect to your vehicle . In the event that GM is able to connect to your vehicle but unable to remotely install an update, GM may attempt to notify you (e.g. through your vehicle’s OnStar system) to visit your dealer. If you receive this message you should visit your dealer for assistance.

GM is not liable in any way to you for any damages if GM does not or is unable to remotely install an update, notify you of the availability of an update, or notify you of the failure to remotely install an update, regardless of the reason for any of the foregoing.   

In some circumstances, we may ask for additional consent prior to installing an update, or for a time convenient for you when we can install the update. If someone other than you is using your vehicle or the OnStar system at that time, you agree that such person is authorized to provide consent and/or respond on your behalf.  

Notification and consent messaging may be automatically communicated to a user upon use of the vehicle, regardless of whether the upgrade was declined or accepted by the prior user. If any vehicle user consents to an update or upgrade, the update or upgrade will be effective as to all other users, regardless of whether another user previously or subsequently declined such an update or upgrade. If you consent to the updating or upgrading of any software, you must notify all other vehicle users.

Yes. If you do not want the software installed on your vehicle to be remotely updated, you can send us an email at TTY@onstar.com and we will provide you with instructions on how to have your connected vehicle service cancelled and how to prevent your vehicle from connecting to an external Wi-Fi network (if equipped). However, your vehicle will no longer receive automatic updates, including updates relating to the safety or security of your vehicle, unless you connect your properly equipped vehicle to a wireless network. To reinstate your connected vehicle services you can press the OnStar button in your vehicle, call 1-888-4-OnStar to speak with an advisor or follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to connect your vehicle to an external Wi-Fi network (if equipped).  

Yes, you may send an email to GM at TTY@onstar.com to request that certain updates be removed or disabled. If required by law, we will assist you in removing or disabling the update.   

In Canada, the GM entity that will remotely install updates to software preinstalled on your vehicle is General Motors of Canada Company (1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7, 1-800-263-3777 (English), 1-800-263-7854 (French), 1-800-263-3830 (TDD users)), or General Motors LLC (PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170), 1-800-263-3777 (English), 1-800-263-7854 (French) or OnStar LLC (PO Box 77000, Detroit, MI 48277-0246), 1.888.466.7827 (English), 1.877.248.2080 (TTY users)).  

Other GM entities and/or services (e.g. OnStar, RemoteLink, and Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac mobile apps and connected vehicle services) may have distinct user terms and privacy policies. Please refer to www.gm.ca and www.onstar.ca for more information regarding these user terms and privacy policies, including your opt-out rights and procedures on how to access and correct errors in the personal information collected by them.