1y ago

Mozilla study reveals that “modern cars are a privacy nightmare”

All 25 car brands reviewed raised privacy concerns regarding customer data.

11 comments

I guess since I drive a ten year old Jeep this isn’t an issue for me, but why should your car be collecting any data about you whatsoever? It’s like suddenly having your toaster spy on you. It’s a car. It should just drive.
- The shareholders disapprove of your non profit driving opinion.

A cyberpunk future is becoming a reality, and not in any of the fun ways.
- Well, the theme of cyberpunk genre is a dystopian future ruled by megacorps. So I don't think it can turn to be fun in any way.
- We have some of these dumbass McDonald's posters around here, where they point out movies that feature McDonald's. They have one with the 5th element. Ah yes, the dirty dystopian future. It's so weird

I dont know if this actually adds a safeguard against it or not, but I refuse to pay the monthly subscription to unlock my car via phone (plus other capabilities). Hope the petition mentioned goes somewhere.
- Nobody knows. Even if you know today, they can change what and how they collect .
  I suspect they have a very cheap low priority data plan with the cell phone providers. Even if you don't pay the fee, that doesn't stop them from collecting your data and potentially selling it. Paying the fee gives you features, but doesn't mean they can't do more.

So, uh, what happens if you clip the mobile antenna?
- You change the length of the conductor, most likely resulting in the length no longer being an equally divisible fraction of the wavelength(s) being sent/received. Aka the antenna no longer functions.
  The device may however not need the antenna, which could just provide better quality signal than without, but regardless, if the antenna co doctor isn't an appropriate length, and tmits plugged into the RF antenna port, it's likely going to result in a non functioning cellular device.
  
  Or if the car can't phone home it won't start. Too bad for you if you stop somewhere where cell service is weak or nonexistent.

11 comments