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How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

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Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#21

Post by PragmaticPulp »

moonterrace wrote: post #8

2019 car here, equipped with a rear camera. Been driving for 43 years and I refuse to use the cam. The thing that bothers me is now I have to check the mfg connectivity TOS and must opt out instead of opt in to what data is transmitted - it’s ridiculous. Don’t get me started on the ever increasing software subscription services these manufacturers are trying to levy on consumers.

Rear view cameras are a safety feature. You’re not sticking it to anyone by refusing to look at it.

I understand that you’re upset about data collection, but refusing to use a basic safety feature is a pointless protest. The only people who might be harmed are those around you.

Please reconsider.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#22

Post by voz_ »

tashoecraft wrote: post #4
blueridge wrote: post #2

https://archive.is/9IU8W I've got an old (2002) car, I love the buttons and knobs. No cameras, no screens, no key fob, no voice control, no electronic "safety" features, no tracking. The 4L straight six engine is still going strong at almost 300,000 miles. What's funny is watching my friends attempt to back out of the driveway or parking lot without a camera and screen. They put it in reverse and their eyes go right…

That’s great for you, but there’s been amazing advances in the world of automobile safety in the past 20 years. I’d rather improve my safety chances in an accident than worry about “tracking”.

Agreed. I don’t understand the privacy obsession at the cost of all other comforts and features.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#23

Post by Waterluvian »

Tarball10 wrote: post #15
moonterrace wrote: post #8

2019 car here, equipped with a rear camera. Been driving for 43 years and I refuse to use the cam. The thing that bothers me is now I have to check the mfg connectivity TOS and must opt out instead of opt in to what data is transmitted - it’s ridiculous. Don’t get me started on the ever increasing software subscription services these manufacturers are trying to levy on consumers.

What does refusing to use the rear view camera have to do with data collection? Those were added because kids were getting run over and killed by reversing vehicles. It seems irresponsible to not check it (along with all the other normal checks you do when reversing).

Reverse cameras are one of the best things to happen to automobile safety in a long time. The automatic obstacle detection and braking is so great. I’m delighted that it’s such a success that it’s standard in every new car.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#24

Post by orwin »

Tarball10 wrote: post #15
moonterrace wrote: post #8

2019 car here, equipped with a rear camera. Been driving for 43 years and I refuse to use the cam. The thing that bothers me is now I have to check the mfg connectivity TOS and must opt out instead of opt in to what data is transmitted - it’s ridiculous. Don’t get me started on the ever increasing software subscription services these manufacturers are trying to levy on consumers.

What does refusing to use the rear view camera have to do with data collection? Those were added because kids were getting run over and killed by reversing vehicles. It seems irresponsible to not check it (along with all the other normal checks you do when reversing).

> Those were added because kids were getting run over and killed by reversing vehicles

If you cannot see kids by looking at your rear window and using your side mirrors (don't know how they're called in english), your clearance might be too high and your mirrors poorly set.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#25

Post by OnlineGladiator »

For many cars it's relatively straight-forward to disable the cellular modem, and sometimes it won't impact the other functionality of the car at all.

Chances are someone in a forum somewhere has done the legwork for you. Do a google search and realize how easy (or hard) it is to do for your vehicle. Most of the time it won't even impact your warranty, apart from the modem you've purposefully disabled and no longer care about.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#26

Post by voz_ »

Who cares though? I ask this elsewhere here too, so apologies if I am being redundant.

Everything tracks me. My phone, every neighbors camera pointing out toward the street, the eyes in the sky, office buildings, grocery stores.

I don’t care though, because I am no one. It’s such a non problem or issue for my day to day, and I couldn’t imagine choosing my car over something like this.

However, on HN, I constantly see this privacy obsession in comments. What are you all up to that you care so much? Where’s the paranoia coming from?

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#27

Post by AlotOfReading »

bnjmn wrote: post #7

Are there any new cars / car brands that credibly promise not to track their drivers? Any car with a network connection for software updates seems likely to be harvesting driver data, or is at least capable of doing so.

Essentially, no. Your best bets are the German manufacturers, some of whom (e.g. Porsche) have data opt outs for all services and exist within a legislative framework that's at least mildly protective of consumer privacy. Even then you should be wary about cars built for export to other markets like the US. It's common for the regional manufacturer to be a separate legal entity, with separate backend services, delivering cars with different configurations and software.

For American, Japanese, and Korean manufacturers? You should just assume they're harvesting all the data they can get on you. GM's recent decision to ditch Android auto and Carplay was motivated in large part by their desire to better control and monetize user data collection.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#28

Post by rootsudo »

voz_ wrote: post #26

Who cares though? I ask this elsewhere here too, so apologies if I am being redundant. Everything tracks me. My phone, every neighbors camera pointing out toward the street, the eyes in the sky, office buildings, grocery stores. I don’t care though, because I am no one. It’s such a non problem or issue for my day to day, and I couldn’t imagine choosing my car over something like this. However, on HN, I constantly see…

That's the problem, you don't care until you do.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#29

Post by foobarbecue »

alejohausner wrote: post #18
foobarbecue wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you know if your 2002 has side-impact anti-intrusion bars in the doors? I loved my 1999 Isuzu Amigo, and was sad when I was rear-ended in 2017 and had to get rid of it, but that fender bender probably saved my life. I replaced the Amigo with a 2014 Outlander Sport and in 2019 I was t-boned at an intersection, with the other car driving directly into my driver's side door. I was amazed to find that I escaped withou…

You're leaving out the punchline of your reply: those side-impact bars protect passengers better, but they also make the car windows higher, and reduce visibility. It's harder to see out the back of modern cars when you simply turn your body around and look behind you. That's why backup cameras are becoming mandatory in new cars.

Interesting. I didn't know that. Before the accident, I would have taken bigger windows over the side-impact bars if I'd been presented with the choice. And now I'm thankful to the regulators for taking away that freedom of choice. Odd.

Re: How the most popular cars in the US track drivers

#30

Post by grugagag »

OnlineGladiator wrote: post #25

For many cars it's relatively straight-forward to disable the cellular modem, and sometimes it won't impact the other functionality of the car at all. Chances are someone in a forum somewhere has done the legwork for you. Do a google search and realize how easy (or hard) it is to do for your vehicle. Most of the time it won't even impact your warranty, apart from the modem you've purposefully disabled and no longer c…

Sure, but once it becomes widespread it will no longer be possible to do so on newer models.
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