this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2024
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Privacy

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I wanted to get others' takes but it seems like the only real way to get a non-spying car is to get an older car without any sort of telemetrics. I saw a video about different car companies' security policies, well specifically the new Mental Outlaw video, and it just blew me away how even our cars aren't safe. Anyone got tips for how to anonymize their car?

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[–] [email protected] 43 points 4 months ago (5 children)
[–] [email protected] 30 points 4 months ago (5 children)

What are the chances the software is designed to throw errors and "See a technician" messages if you dk?

[–] [email protected] 25 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I’ve heard it can cause problems in some models, so people need to do their research. With my truck it’s dead easy and are no drawbacks.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago

We need an iFixit-like database giving each car a score about how easy it is to unplug the telematics units and what errors it may result in, complete with a score.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

My suggestion, if you're looking for a new car, is to research where the modem in the car is, and unplug it during the test drive (assuming it's reachable).

I unplugged the one in my work truck, 2023 Ford F150. They call it the "Telematics unit" and it's on the rear cab wall on the right side, hidden behind the sound deadening foam. I did this after it was bought, but if I had known about it before my boss paid it, I definately would have tried it before the test drive to make sure, and I plan to do it if/when I look for a newer car!

I unplugged every cable coming into it - power, antennas, data, all of them! The only issue that comes up is the center screen on the dash crashes back to the main menu when you try to open the data/wifi settings.

No other issues so far after almost 5k miles! No warnings, no lights on the dash, nothing! Android auto/carplay even still works! Don't know yet if the dealer will try to plug the unit back in during the next service, but I intend to raise hell if they try!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Depends on the car but I'd say the chance is above 50%

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Not small, but I think you’ll have better chances with the mid level commuter cars. You’ll probably get some error messages on some of them, but if you can ignore them, they wouldn’t stop the car from running.It’s the high end ones and EVs that have a higher chance of bricking if you disable the antenna.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Most of the cars will still try to connect to open Wifi when available to upload data.

[–] xav 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Very nice ! That's when you can start spying on your car's behavior.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Not really. If they use TLS / HTTPS then you won't see a damn thing.

[–] xav 2 points 4 months ago

Yeah. Believe me most of these embedded controllers are not very well programmed. Play a bit with fake certificates and I won't be astonished if you to catch something.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Get rid of the car

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (2 children)

And add a Faraday's cage. There are other things except for cellular connection used in cars such as WiFi and Bluetooth.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

That's impractical. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi also needs modems so just remove those too.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I mean sure if you can find and remove them. They're very small.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

They're going to be in the same location for a given model year, which somebody will likely have documented online.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I'd want bluetooth for music from my phone though. And it'd be nice if my phone's cellular and GPS didn't get blocked.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Isn't your phone far more connected to your identity than your car? As in, if your worried about Toyota or Ford tracking your vehicles driving statistics it seems using GPS and wifi and Bluetooth on your phone that also has all your payment info, browsing history, and all your passwords saved defeats the entire purpose of worrying about your car. However, at least your phone gives you a benefit to using it like navigation and music, your car just mines your location data.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Privacy is not just black and white.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

But then the car can send the data via unprotected WiFi spots. I don't think you can turn off autoconnect.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Perhaps disconnecting the RF antenna, and replacing it with an appropriate termination?