Privacy

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Is it possible to have privacy in a modern car? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by WtfEvenIsExistence@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

56 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Edit: Just asked because of curiosity. I'm not actually looking for such vehicles.

Edit 2: So for context, my parents new Toyota has this feature that allows the GPS location of the car to be sent to toyota, then you can see the location via an app on android/ios (it's supposed to be an anti-theft feature). The data is sent via an antenna that connects to cell towers, which then connects to the internet, and to the toyota servers. "Diagnostic" and "maintenance" information is also sent via those same antennas.

The dealer said it could be turned off, but who knows if they are really off. There's not a hard switch on the car.

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[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 23 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I read somewhere one time that you can ask the dealership to rip out the modem thing for you so there's no internet. I wonder if there's a guide or manual to do it ourselves though. I recall it's towards the trunk area and sometimes near the top of the cabin.

[–] Hubi@feddit.de 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The dealership won't do it but most independent workshops probably will. You might get into trouble with your warranty though if there's ever an electric issue, the disconnected unit will show up as a fault code during diagnostics.

[–] krnpnk@feddit.de 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Which at least in Germany should lead to failing vehicle inspections.

[–] bzz@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

What’s worse is that in the EU, the connectivity is mandated with eCall, which calls the police with your coordinates in the event of a crash.

Though the EU has strong data privacy so at least you can be semi confident you can opt out and have your data forgotten from the manufacturer

[–] Dr_Evil@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

While this is probably the only real solution for complete peace of mind, you may be able to find and disconnect the fuse to the telemetry system as an easier (and cheaper) fix - check out the fuse box diagram in your owner's manual!

[–] Siliconic 1 points 1 year ago

That's what I was thinking. No need to worry about telemetry if your car's got no network connection