It's bad enough that our smartphones are pocket spies. Newer cars and trucks are also sending off reams of data, the collection of which is wholly unregulated.
If you drive a newer vehicle and you get into a nasty divorce fight, bet the lawyers are going to be subpoenaing that shit. Get into an accident, same thing. Maybe the cops will be subpoenaing the data to see who might have been near the scene of a crime.
One tip: Use a power-port USB adapter to avoid plugging your phones into the car's computer.
I've got an older car that doesn't have any of that stuff. I'm going to drive it until the wheels fall off.
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Saturday, December 21, 2019
12 comments:
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The most I've done is refuse to pay for the onstar 'service' nor satellite radio, but it still transmits things like tire pressure alerts (which my dashboard does just fine, thanks).
ReplyDeleteAre there online resources on disabling the transmitter?
2002 Mercury Grand Marquis I will drive till it dies...
ReplyDeleteIts pretty easy, All of them require an antenna. Disable the antenna.
ReplyDeleteFor some that may mean finding it and if you do GPS and some of the
internet features go away but tracking does too.
there are likely more than three antennas, The AM broadcast, FM broadcast,
multiband cell, Satelite(XM and the like) and GPS.
The way to disable the antenna is a spray can of GC Nickle Coat paint,
for those inside plastic domes. Other cut the wire. NOTE they maybe shared
so something may stop working. I assume no liability as you and your dealer
may come to issues. That and you may actually have to drive the damn car
without distractions.
While your at it put the cell phone in a metal can, it must be fully
surrounded. Radio can't get in... or out.
Eck!
Heh. Out of the 3 vehicles I own, the newest one turns 30 this year.
ReplyDelete2 out of the 3 have "Collector" license plates on them so I don't have to pay over a hundred bucks every year for car tabs on them anymore either.
When the wheels fall off I will weld new spindles on the damn things.
Because I can.
Back in the day, cars and trucks were more like machinery rather than rolling entertainment centers, they were re-buildable. They had real frames with real mounting points and with a few exceptions, there was plenty of room to get at things.
In this day and age of a new cars starting at thirty grand, I can buy a brand new engine or transmission for two and have it installed for one more, if I don't just do it myself.
As they say, do the math. Of course most people don't have the skills, knowledge and the tools I have. I would still argue that it's cheaper in the long run.
It's the "Designed Obsolescence" that gets you these days plus the fact that the factories long ago decided they didn't want their customers working on their own cars anymore.
Happy Hanukka Misfit.
I don't have a car, and don't drive anyway since my stroke (although I can in a pinch) and Briana's car is 27 years old.
ReplyDeleteI used to work on them myself, and I know a couple of top-flight mechanics well enough to get the stuff I don't have the tools or facilities for taken care of, but now I'd be hard pressed to change a tire. I could probably do it if the conditions were just right, but it would take hours and be very risky.
-Doug in Oakland
Yep, and pretty soon your insurance company will 'incentivize' you to install a GPS tracking dongle to automatically rat you out by offering 'discounts' for the dongle sheeple and extra 'fees' for us luddites. And most drivers will happily sign up for the automotive ankle bracelet. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI've taken the time to find out which fuses and which antennae to disconnect on my Dodge truck. THe new Subaru is a bit harder to find info on, but I am sure i can find it soon.
ReplyDeleteIf (and/or when) I figure it will take less than 20 inutes for the truck and a similar amount for the car.
Eck! has a good point about the cell phone though. Best to leave that at home if you don't wish to be tracked.
Don't forget your electronic toll device either. Of your Fitness Tracker if you have one.
I have a '05 Honda that doesn't have any of that satellite or "spymobile" shit in it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go on a hike in the woods, though I do switch on "find my iPhone".
Re B:
ReplyDeleteI recall reading a few years back that a 'secret' US Army (?) base in Iraq got outed by the fitness monitors the soldiers stationed there wore while jogging. Nice oval-ish tracks out in the middle of what was *supposedly* 'nowhere'.
This article is dated, but it can give you an idea about how government can "connect the dots"
ReplyDeleteAnd that is without the car data....
The amount of data available to private sources is similar.
https://thelizardfarmer.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/how-they-hunt/
I wonder if those who squelch or reduce the location and other data stand out vs the sheep how don't bother? Does your attempt to hide make you a more visible target for Law enforcement if they should find a reason to look at you?
Oh, and here is phone location data:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/19/opinion/location-tracking-cell-phone.html
XLNT point... as an automotive industry veteran, connected cars and their ability to go 'semi-auto' is just as bad as being a digital fink. I deplore the connectivity of modern cars and hate the idea the CA DMV is gonna start allowing autonomous delivery vehicles on the road with me. I wrote about this issue, hope you get a chance to look at my viewpoint here: https://gortnation.blogspot.com/2019/04/im-only-driving.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for always being AWESOME!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!