Microtransactions. Not microaggressions, although I'm sure some white-sock Croc-wearing liberal will call them microaggressions. Microtransactions are upcharges being implemented by luxury car manufacturers. The charge allows the vehicle owner to use certain features on the car they have already purchased. The practice has many owners upset and even some legislators are considering passing laws to prevent the practice.

The practice can range from what Mercedes is doing, charging $1200 a year to owners of electric vehicles if they would like quicker acceleration and more power, to BMW which charges owners of its electric vehicles a monthly subscription if they would like to use the heated steering wheel and seats feature. Other companies are charging for use of the navigation software or similar programs and features. Car owners are upset that they must pay for the use of features that they believe they already paid for in the purchase price.

I think their concerns are misplaced, although I do agree with them on some level. If you purchase an upgrade, all the manufacturer has to do is send a signal to the car and turn on the feature or turn it off if your check bounces. That is what should be concerning to vehicle owners, the unfettered ability to control your car with no way to prevent access. That means they can do anything they'd like with your vehicle at any time, like shut it off completely. That might not be a bad thing if you've missed a payment, but that's not what concerns me.

What happens if you are a critic of a governmental agency or politician? What happens if you refuse to get a mandated vaccine? The government could demand that the manufacturer take away your ability to drive your car. We've already seen the proof that the FBI worked closely with social media to combat what they called misinformation, not only by labeling information they didn't like as false, but also by restricting use or denying access entirely. It is not a stretch to believe they would take away your ability to get to work, a doctor's appointment, visit family, or do anything else you might want to because you have disobeyed. Forced compliance becomes much easier.

Several months ago, I talked about the kill switch feature that was being installed on some vehicles, whether electric or fossil fuel powered, that would allow law enforcement to shut down a vehicle that was being pursued. While that might sound like a good idea, the alternative uses of the kill switch could easily lead to someone deciding to make your vehicle inoperable for whatever reason. Imagine not being able to use your car at all because the government decided you couldn't use it. That power is tremendous. And frightening. It needs to be stopped.