>it may not be possible to easily do that without also removing GPS/radio functionality. Some models are now integrating WiFi/Bluetooth into the same system.
I don’t really need any of those with my phone in the car.
I did not look hard, but didn't find an obvious location to remove the SIM from my Mercedes. It is certainly undocumented in the owner's manual.
Note that [depending on the modem], simply removing the SIM might not be enough to turn the radio off. It might still try connecting to the network and naturally send your IMEI to the carrier. For instance, handsets are usually configured so you can call emergency numbers without SIM cards. They need to reach out to a network to do so. You might still be tracked. It's better to make sure it is not powered.
I agree that Tesla probably takes the Orwellian issues to a whole new level, but I'm not sure this sort of lockdown would be limited to EVs for long.
Right, which is why I'm a fan of removing SIM cards and fuses. Wonder if it's possible to remove "black box" logging systems without rendering the car in question inoperable.
My guess is that even if it is possible now, it won't be for much longer.
Freedom, privacy, and full ownership/control are three concepts that are becoming increasingly foreign to young people, it's quite sad.
Most cars have an integrated SIM. You can either pull the fuse, and lose a bunch of functionality, or if you're clever, throw an attenuator on the antenna rendering it useless but preserving the functionality of the rest of your car.
> This data is cached on the head unit so that finding a contact to call or reading a text message doesn't require 10 minutes worth of Bluetooth nonsense.
This is such an early 2000s idea. I'd much rather my car act as a dumb display that shows a copy of my phone screen then an intelligent agent that tries to replicate functionality already extant in my phone.
But how? You may be able to opt-out in software, but that's not trustworthy IMHO. There's no simple hardware disconnect, and I'm sure it's different in every model. In my friend's car (a Subaru), there's a telematics module under the head unit, but you have to disassemble the dash to get to it (i.e. do a pretty significant amount of work).
IMHO, telematics should always be implemented as a separate module with a separate fuse, so you can just pull a fuse to disable it.
> but if the dealers can download over diagnostic ports when you bring in for servicing, it's worse.
Someone sells a lock to cover the ODB-II port of a vehicle. I got one years ago, but unfortunately it didn't work very well and could be trivially pulled (or bumped) off. The port in my car is pretty close to my knee.
Taking out the SIM card sounds like a good idea if it's physically possible (i.e. the "sim card" isn't soldered down or integrated into some other non-removable device).
Maybe the sensible thing for most IoT-enabled car owners is to get all the software updates for the first few years as the manufacturer works out all the major bugs, then disable the network when the manufacturer's attention has shifted to the next new thing and drive it until the wheels fall off.
This is a very very annoying thing in new cars.
Its almost impossible to shut this down, and I've heard that if you manually remove the Sim card from the car, the media system will go crazy.
I personally say cars should be designed as a dock for your phone, their hardware gets old fast, and you don't replace your cars because the software is slow, but you do replace your phone for that reason.
And its much cheaper to replace a phone than a car.
I think this is where the industry is going, especially after the announcement of Apple carplay full screen.
The thing is, do we really to give bigtech even more control over our gadgets?, But the other choice is what What we have now, and its not better, its a lose lose situation, where in both you won't own your car or have full privacy.
Also I doubt even if bigtech took over the media counsle that manufacturers will stop tracking.
Its an issue caused by everything being an uncontrollable blackbox.
> What's concerning to me are reports of the car still uploading all the collected data if you attach a cell phone to the radio's bluetooth
This must be if you have the car manufacturer's app installed. I can't think of any other way for it to phone home from DCM via buetooth if the cellular module is disabled.
> So far as I'm aware there is nothing on the market where I live that won't constantly spy on you with no option to disable.
Kia EV6 has a telematics toggle in the hidden engineering menu. Vehicles sold in Massachusetts have it disabled by default to protest the state's "right to repair" law, but in other regions you can disable it yourself.
> - My phone is already connected to the sound system, and ready to take calls, with contacts and built-in SatNav already knowing my home and work.
> - I'm familiar with all controls. How to set all lighting, interval wipers, and know how to set the climate control, and quickly defog.
These things can be synchronized with the cloud... you just authenticate at the car and it will download and apply your preferences. IIRC 7er BMWs have this, based on the key (e.g. one for the man, one for the wife and one for the son).
For now!
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