Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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Privacy on Cars. How to stop data collection and transmission? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Couple of months prior, I read an article on Mozilla, where they did a research on automakers and found none comply to good privacy measures. I am planning to buy a used car. I want to know how the data is collected and transmitted.

The car comes with a connected app though I am not planning to use it. It also has apple car play and android auto. Should I use those? The article states some manufacturers even records sexual activities. How are they transmitting these informations? Through connected phones?

My use is fairly basic, I want to use the Bluetooth audio system in the car for listening to music on my phone. I use maps on my phone.

What about car servicing? Can they access stored information?

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (1 children)

You could get yourself a RF analyzer or an old Hammy (Ham radio enthusiast would likely have something you could borrow)and find out what they are using then that would allow you to figure out your options such as removing the antenna, sim card, or the module in some manner. The problem with removing modules could be they are tied into the cars electronic controller which could cause issues with the car even working.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

RF analysis is kinda difficult, you'd need to take the car out into the middle of nowhere and have access to fairly good equipment. A tinySA would maybe work if you're very patient but data transmissions are generally very bursty so it may be difficult to nail down where it's coming from in a sane amount of time.

One option would be to try to figure out if there are any FCC filings for your car. All filings will have pictures of whatever module is being used and what antenna systems it uses which may give you a good idea of where it is and what it looks like. There should be an FCC ID mentioned somewhere at the beginning or end of the cars manual. Googling that should bring up some stuff.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Or you could just wrap your car in aluminium foil like a giant burrito

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

Ah, the tin foil car method