Automaker patents new ad display tech

General Motors has just filed a patent for interactive billboards that target specific cars and drivers based on the route planned into their GPS.

Advertisers are constantly looking for ways to better get your attention and pull themselves out of the background noise, and personalized ads are a good way to do that.

That's probably why GM's looking at tweaking their OnStar system so that it can talk to digital billboards that change based on your destination, reports Jalopnik.

Punched "Disney World" into your OnStar navigation system? You'll get ads for Disney deals the entire trip.

Because of OnStar's Terms of Service, the only data they can use to serve up a custom ad your way will be your destination and "external, randomized databases such as a seasonal driving pattern calendar based on all American drivers."

The data is deleted from the ad server once you get where you want to go, and the only trace of it left on OnStar servers will be anonymized.

In short, while it may seem kinda freaky that the roadside billboard you just passed knows where you're going, GM's system will make sure that that advertiser and even GM themselves can't invade your privacy.

At least for now. We'll keep our eyes open for future patents regarding advertising and your driving habits.

(Jalopnik)