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Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

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Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#261

Post by ProllyInfamous »

drnick1 wrote: post #139
jasonjayr wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Find the telematic's antenna, and put a 50ohm resistor across it. It can scream into it's own private void.

It seems like this is not enough: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/simpler-solution-for-dis... The most reliable way to permanently silence the cellular modem is to pull the relevant fuse. In the above case, this also disables the microphone, which I think is a positive. Unplugging the DCM entirely, however, seems to disable to right speaker, which is wired through the DCM for some reason.

>right speaker, which is wired through the DCM for some reason

This is to provide cell phone audio during calls – if you're already inside your dashboard to remove the DCM (modem), there is an easy pin-out to restore the right speaker's music audio (which varies across Toyota models, but usually is as simple as placing a jumper across two pins of the unplugged wiring harness.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#262

Post by Scoundreller »

petre wrote: post #233
Scoundreller wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought most would use their “shark fin” on the roof for everything (if there is one but there usually is). Terminating on the other end somewhere with a color coded FAKRA connector.

That's quite far away for the weak GPS signal over RF cable, but they still do it. Or maybe the GPS unit and LTE modem are also in the shark fin or nearby and they use a serial, CAN FD/XL or single pair ethernet connection to it? Another choice is in the center of the dashboard under the winshield or under the mirror.

From teardowns, there’s more than just antennae in those shark fins, so might amplify or LNA or whatever within the shark fin.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#263

Post by forgetfreeman »

dragon-hn wrote: post #246
forgetfreeman wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"will not last forever" doesn't comport with observed reality to date. There are literally model A's still on the road. Barring true oddities there doesn't appear to be a model of production vehicle that has gone extinct at any point in automotive history. Anyway, three of my cars are older than I am, and I am not a young man. Buying into their shit is optional.

Finding parts for older cars is a very real concern, aside from a handful of cars that are very popular with enthusiasts.

So pick a vehicle you can get parts for if you're worried, you've literally highlighted the solution to the problem you're claiming exists.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#264

Post by tredre3 »

MarkusQ wrote: post #110
ellisv wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People who live in cold or hot places like to prestart the climate control in their car.

When I was a lad we walked out to the car and did that with the key. In the snow. It wasn't that bad and, despite what you may have heard, was not in fact uphill both ways.

I'm sure you take advantage of a lot of modern conveniences that you didn't have as a lad, and you would prefer to not give those up.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#265

Post by tredre3 »

CableNinja wrote: post #190
sagarm wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In California you can post a surety bond in lieu of insurance. I'm sure the same applies in other states with governance that is not captured by corporate interests.

Can you elaborate on this some? Afaik insurance is the only thing they would accept. I think insurance is generally a nasty scam so anything to get away from it would be pretty neat

You have to deposit $75,000 to the DMV and if you get in an accident where you're at fault you will also be on the hook for damages beyond that. You can also get a surety bond for that amount, instead of doing a cash deposit.

It used to be 35k but it was increased in late 2024 (which is good because it hadn't increased since the 70s).

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance...

But to do that you really have to hate insurers or be uninsurable. Because realistically putting that 75k in a basic HISA will yield enough interests to pay for regular car insurance and you get to keep your 75k.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#266

Post by mdnahas »

jasonjayr wrote: post #118
drnick1 wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> turn off remote access services, dig through the infotainment to turn off what I could This is never enough. You can't trust a software switch. You need to remove the hardware capability if you want to make sure the car isn't spying on you. In the best case, the telematics box has it's own fuse, and that may be enough. In other cases, you need to find the box and unplug it. The service manual will have it's locatio…

Find the telematic's antenna, and put a 50ohm resistor across it. It can scream into it's own private void.

It varies by car. For my Honda, I believe disconnecting the antenna is enough. I looked at a Toyota and the antenna is shared. To disable the phone-home you had to disconnect a box … but that’s difficult. The box is also designed to call 911 or 999 emergency services and is connected to the microphone and one of the speakers. You have to rewire those if you want to use the microphone with your cellphone or play any stereo sound. Do your research before buying or disconnecting things.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#268

Post by Slow_Hand »

dguest wrote: post #232
Slow_Hand wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn’t smell right. Why develop the telemetry and go to all of the trouble for such a paltry return? That probably wouldn’t even cover the legal consulation to cover their ass, much less go through the trouble of implementing and selling the telemetry. It would be cheaper to do nothing if that were true.

There are less questionable things they can do with all that data: I'm sure it's really useful to figure out how electrical and mechanical faults correlate with driving conditions / weather / region etc. The result from this is just a better car in the next iteration. Then someone offers them $1 each for a fleet of 1M cars, who is going to turn down $1M for a few TB of data?

To your first point, fair enough.

To your second point, surely they’ve considered the hit to their relationship with their customers before selling for $1/car. Surely the trust between them and their buyers is worth far, far more than that.

Even assuming maximum greed, is every car manufacturer really so short-sighted as to break that trust for so small of a return?

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#269

Post by SirHackalot »

93po wrote: post #196
SirHackalot wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

but you agree he's personally responsible for at least like a million though right?

Are you being sarcastic? Hard to tell online. I don’t know the exact numbers, like I said. I know it’s non-zero because of simple logic. That’s all I need to know to form an opinion on the guy.

Re: Data collected by cars and sold to third parties

#270

Post by pvaldes »

bitparadox wrote: post #34

I posted a flavor of this comment on an article a few months ago, but it's relevant here: I have a seven year old Volkswagen, not financed. I'm security conscious and made sure to disable all the data collection I could find in the companion app before removing my account, turn off remote access services, dig through the infotainment to turn off what I could, etc. Last year I requested a Carfax on it, and one of the…

> I can only assume the telemetry was still dialing home and selling to third parties

Not necessarily. Obligatory roadworthiness test collects this data.

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