Local news show did a piece on Black Boxes, where they are located, who owns the info and some of the insurance companies that use the stored info against you. Seems with the C5 & 6 it's located behind an accessory trim plate under the heater and a/c controls. With the Impala it's under the right front seat. Just passing it along.

 

These boxes have been in cars for years. Some dating back to around 1990. The kind of information they capture depends on the manufacturer. Some get very basic stuff, like throttle position and brakes. Some get more detailed, like steering angles, etc.... They aren't boxes like what you find in airplanes. They monitor what is going on, and if it records an "event", it usually only captures the last 5 seconds or so before the "event".

The info on those black boxes isn't always easy to get. In fact, some cars (mostly German) it's extremely difficult for anyone except the manufacturer to be able to get the info (if I recall correctly, with BMW and Mercedes they'll only give it out with a court subpoena).

When an insurance company can get it, it's used to help prove the facts of a case. While most people think it's used "against" them, it may well actually be used to help them. If you get into an accident, and the other driver (or a passenger) file suit against you, you may insist and swear the other car was speeding or didn't hit their brakes. If the info from the box is available, it may well help your insurance companies' attorneys to prove your case. I've seen it happen.

The boxes were primarily put in for the car manufacturer to protect themselves in lawsuits. They'll use it if someone claims the car didn't protect them as it should. They'll check to see if the seatbelt was being used, how fast you were going at impact, etc.....

Steve