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Nonya Bidniss

@CiaraNi Like not being able to opt out of cars phoning home with a detailed database of everything you do or say and everywhere you go

12 comments
Ciara

@Nonya_Bidniss This sounds like something from a dystopian novel. I don't have a car and I hope this is an exaggeration for illustrative purposes!

Nonya Bidniss

@CiaraNi Nope this is all new cars since they started putting computer systems in the dash, especially if you connect your phone to the car and/or use an app for that purpose. foundation.mozilla.org/en/priv

MooMoo the Cat

@Nonya_Bidniss @CiaraNi I was relieved to know that Subaru was not on that list. The only metrics it records are driving metrics for repair and maintenance.

MooMoo the Cat

@Nonya_Bidniss @CiaraNi Oh dear. I had seen something similar doing the rounds when Tesla cameras were filming while the car was parked in the garage. This is new information. Thanks for flagging it (now going back to reading and rising blood pressure.)

MooMoo the Cat

@Nonya_Bidniss @CiaraNi (still reading) this applies for people using (1) Starlink services (onboard road side assistance, like Allstar is on other cars) and/or (2) making their car a WiFi hotspot for up to 5 devices. This second item requires a separate wireless account (in my area it was AT&T) and you are subjected to their privacy policy....which is non-existent for all intents and purposes. Neither I use
My privacy settings "Subaru Solterra Connect to Access" app shows minimal data capture.

Nonya Bidniss

@flowerpot Well, good luck then. I'm considering never buying a new car and just buying old ones. @CiaraNi

MooMoo the Cat

@Nonya_Bidniss @CiaraNi It is beyond distressing. I would have preferred an electric car without all the sight-assist stuff, but it wasn't an option. I seriously doubt any new electric car is without these features. If I had known, I may have waited to buy an electric car. This is definitely going to damper EV sales.

Nonya Bidniss

@flowerpot @CiaraNi Pretty soon you won't be able to use various built-in features of your car without paying a subscription fee, this is also a new thing the car mfrs are rolling out. Things like remote start, heated seats, stuff that is built in that you paid for but they're going to squeeze more out of you just because they can. Enshittification. There will be a growing demand for "dumb" cars (and car hackers) I believe.

MooMoo the Cat

@Nonya_Bidniss @CiaraNi Ok, I just locked down more of my settings but if I read the article correctly, the car still has the ability to record conversations (even though the app does not). <heavy, heavy sigh> But most likely it is being done through Starlink and the hotspot ability. But the legalese says they can do it, regardless.
TLDR = dammit

Ciara

@Nonya_Bidniss Oh my ... Thanks for sharing that. I wasn't doubting you, by the way, just reacting to the awfulness of the example! I am going to give my bike an extra long hug when I put it to bed tonight.

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