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While always good to turn non-essential features off, this doesn't mean that you can't be tracked. Many vehicles, even if non-rental, now come standard with cel

by _sbrk 7y ago

While always good to turn non-essential features off, this doesn't mean that you can't be tracked. Many vehicles, even if non-rental, now come standard with cellular voice/data connections. GM pioneered this with OnStar in the mid-90s[1], and other manufacturers soon followed. Combined with the "black box" recording of _every_ sensor in your car, there can be some pretty damning evidence against the driver in the event of a wreck, etc. There are no switches for the driver to disable regarding the data inside your ECU[2], or Event Data Recorder[3]. It's not that you can't get away with anything anymore, it comes down to minor infractions are now enforceable (with the lucrative fines that follow) and that your car can present evidence against you. [1] https://smart.gi-de.com/automotive/a-brief-history-of-car-connections/ https://smart.gi-de.com/automotive/a-brief-history-of-car-co... [2] https://www.plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/beware-the-black-box https://www.plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/beware-... [3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/26167752?seq=1 https://www.jstor.org/stable/26167752?seq=1

river99 7y ago
Some cars have a tracking toggle switch. I believe BMW is one such example.
ReptileMan 7y ago
Can't you just cut the antenna? Or just improvise a Faraday cage around it.
- reaperducer 7y ago
  Good luck finding it. And then, good luck getting to it.
  - kop316 7y ago
    While a pain, it isn't impossible. There will be an FCC ID that it has (due to transmitting receiving). Based on that device, you at least know what to look for (a PCI card? An entire board? an Antenna?). Since FCC testing is expensive, I would not doubt that many manufacturers just make one card to install into multiple cars (to lower the FCC testing cost). That would be the best case, as all you need to do is find and remove that card.
    - _sbrk 7y ago
      Instead of doing that, I'd simulate "network loss" by substituting a 50 ohm dummy load for the output antenna. This assumes that it is a connector, not soldered right to the board. This way, there is no "fault" other than not being in a cellular-coverage area.
      - kop316 7y ago
        That's a good way too. Didn't think of that.

by _sbrk 7y ago

river99 7y ago

Some cars have a tracking toggle switch. I believe BMW is one such example.

ReptileMan 7y ago

Can't you just cut the antenna? Or just improvise a Faraday cage around it.

reaperducer 7y ago
Good luck finding it. And then, good luck getting to it.
- kop316 7y ago
  While a pain, it isn't impossible. There will be an FCC ID that it has (due to transmitting receiving). Based on that device, you at least know what to look for (a PCI card? An entire board? an Antenna?). Since FCC testing is expensive, I would not doubt that many manufacturers just make one card to install into multiple cars (to lower the FCC testing cost). That would be the best case, as all you need to do is find and remove that card.
  - _sbrk 7y ago
    Instead of doing that, I'd simulate "network loss" by substituting a 50 ohm dummy load for the output antenna. This assumes that it is a connector, not soldered right to the board. This way, there is no "fault" other than not being in a cellular-coverage area.
    - kop316 7y ago
      That's a good way too. Didn't think of that.