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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

#31
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.

No that’s not a good answer. It’s a vague gesture at some non realistic threat. When will I care?

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

#32
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…

Its bizarre to see the "I have nothing to hide, so why should I care" defense on the top of Hacker News.

Post Scriptum:

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him. - Cardinal Richelieu

You have to move to feel the chains.

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

#33
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…

For me, it’s partially about being uncomfortable with faceless individuals and companies profiting off information about me in an extremely opaque way.

It’s also about feeling that there’s no chain-of-custody regarding that sort of data. It gets dispersed and could seemingly end up anywhere, and at any point in the future in perpetuity.

I think it’s natural for people who are inclined to visit this site to have a greater interest in tech-related privacy than people who don’t visit. Particularly when you have a greater level of awareness when it comes to just how invasive many tech companies are, and how willing they are to sell your data.

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

#34
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You can't see out the rear window in any new car because the bottom of the window is always ridiculously high (I assume for safety in rear end collisions).

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

#35
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

That just isn't true. There are many cars where it's impossible from within the car to see certain places behind it without the rear camera, no matter how your mirrors are set.

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

#36

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.

I don't think this is true. In theory you could embed the cellular modem into the mainboard, or even into the processor, but I would bet for ease of service that the modem will always be on a separate board somewhere that can be cut off.

They would never make the car reliant on cellular service or it would just stop working whenever you didn't have a signal - or the modem died.

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

#37
Computing as a whole has obliterated user agency. This is just one of many manifestations of a system run rampant, where consumers can't even begin to understand what it is their purchasing & using. It's not a free market - the market can't adjust - if buyers can't even learn what they are buying.

I do hope some day we can make computing more visible & honest.

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

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> Reverse cameras are one of the best things to happen to automobile safety in a long time.

I agree, but I feel like cameras have made everyone feel the need to back into parking spaces, resulting in an epidemic of slightly askew cars that make it more difficult for everyone else to park. It's a small price to pay for increased safety, but it's stilkl annoying.

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

#39
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

That just isn't true. There are many cars where it's impossible from within the car to see certain places behind it without the rear camera, no matter how your mirrors are set.

That's why you check behind the car (and all around it) before you get in and start moving.

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

#40
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

You can't see out the rear window in any new car because the bottom of the window is always ridiculously high (I assume for safety in rear end collisions).

The main reason is that it makes you feel safer. Psychologically you feel more protected with metal between you and the outside world than glass.
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