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My Volvo has a cellular radio in it that I cannot disable with pulling a fuse for a bunch of things. I've always assumed that the car uploads everything to Vol

My Volvo has a cellular radio in it that I cannot disable with pulling a fuse for a bunch of things. I've always assumed that the car uploads everything to Volvo without my knowledge or permission. I'll bet law enforcement can just ask Volvo for my data without needing a tool.

StavrosK 5y ago
I mean, though, you can always disable a cellular radio, it's just a matter of finding it.
- annoyingnoob 5y ago
  There is a SIM card in the glove box that supports the Infotainment system and in-car hotspot if you want. I pulled that one out. The car still has another one, somewhere, as I occasionally get calls into the car but I don't pay for that service. I found the fuse for the factory phone but not the SIM, you're right its somewhere but for all I know its not removeable.
  - StavrosK 5y ago
    You'll probably need to do at least some disassembly to get to it (maybe next time you take the car for servicing). Then you can either wrap the antenna in some aluminum foil or just cut it (which would probably fry the transmitter). I agree, though, all our devices are becoming hostile to us.
    - a1369209993 5y ago
      > or just cut it (which would probably fry the transmitter). I'd recommend physically removing the entire transmitter (the electronics can be removed with a chisel), but if you're trying to fry the transmitter, don't cut the antenna; that leaves a undamaged but low gain transmitter a la [0] (though probably not powerful enough to detect outside the vehicle). Instead, short the antenna to a power rail (or ground, but V!=0 is more likely to damage it) to fry the transmitter and also keep it from moving the antenna voltage enough to transmit anything. 0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQF_K9MqpA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQF_K9MqpA (at 17:06)
    - h4waii 5y ago
      Modern transmitters should back down power when SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) is too high, specifically in order to avoid blowing out the front end.
bellyfullofbac 5y ago
Apparently new cars sold since 2018 have to have a way to automatically contact emergency services after a crash, so they all probably come with a SIM card: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECall My guess is the manufacturer wants to upload "diagnostic" data, they would just use that same SIM card. And you probably can't disable it because it's a legal requirement (or, maybe you can on your Volvo?). Maybe one could just put a prepaid SIM card with zero bandwidth quota/zero call credits, because those are still able to call the emergency number. Interestingly the automatic "call the cops" function means hit and runs would be a lot harder, since the cops would get a timestamp of an accident, and a phone number as a car identifier...
- garaetjjte 5y ago
  It seems there are eCall dedicated SIM cards, which cannot be used for other purposes. Though I'm confused why it is required at all, as you don't need any SIM card to call 112 emergency number. >The in-vehicle system has a valid SIM that enables the provision of the eCall service. It is to be configured only for making an eCall, or it could also be used, in addition and as optional, for commercial service provision. In the first case, the IVS will be in a dormant mode (not traceable and active only in case of eCall triggering) https://eena.org/wp-content/uploads/eCall-and-open-issues-2018-revision.pdf https://eena.org/wp-content/uploads/eCall-and-open-issues-20...
throwawayboise 5y ago
Wirecutters. Find the antenna and clip the wire.
- specktr 5y ago
  Ill be buying a new car this summer and seriously considering doing this or other hardware mods to disable any modems/telemetry. Does anyone know of any forums or something similar dedicated to these types of car hardware mods?
  - leesalminen 5y ago
    I've seen some posts on the various Toyota 4Runner forums about this. I'd check out the forums dedicated to your specific make/model.

StavrosK 5y ago

I mean, though, you can always disable a cellular radio, it's just a matter of finding it.

annoyingnoob 5y ago
There is a SIM card in the glove box that supports the Infotainment system and in-car hotspot if you want. I pulled that one out. The car still has another one, somewhere, as I occasionally get calls into the car but I don't pay for that service. I found the fuse for the factory phone but not the SIM, you're right its somewhere but for all I know its not removeable.
- StavrosK 5y ago
  You'll probably need to do at least some disassembly to get to it (maybe next time you take the car for servicing). Then you can either wrap the antenna in some aluminum foil or just cut it (which would probably fry the transmitter). I agree, though, all our devices are becoming hostile to us.
  - a1369209993 5y ago
    > or just cut it (which would probably fry the transmitter). I'd recommend physically removing the entire transmitter (the electronics can be removed with a chisel), but if you're trying to fry the transmitter, don't cut the antenna; that leaves a undamaged but low gain transmitter a la [0] (though probably not powerful enough to detect outside the vehicle). Instead, short the antenna to a power rail (or ground, but V!=0 is more likely to damage it) to fry the transmitter and also keep it from moving the antenna voltage enough to transmit anything. 0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQF_K9MqpA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQF_K9MqpA (at 17:06)
  - h4waii 5y ago
    Modern transmitters should back down power when SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) is too high, specifically in order to avoid blowing out the front end.

bellyfullofbac 5y ago

Apparently new cars sold since 2018 have to have a way to automatically contact emergency services after a crash, so they all probably come with a SIM card: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECall My guess is the manufacturer wants to upload "diagnostic" data, they would just use that same SIM card. And you probably can't disable it because it's a legal requirement (or, maybe you can on your Volvo?). Maybe one could just put a prepaid SIM card with zero bandwidth quota/zero call credits, because those are still able to call the emergency number. Interestingly the automatic "call the cops" function means hit and runs would be a lot harder, since the cops would get a timestamp of an accident, and a phone number as a car identifier...

garaetjjte 5y ago
It seems there are eCall dedicated SIM cards, which cannot be used for other purposes. Though I'm confused why it is required at all, as you don't need any SIM card to call 112 emergency number. >The in-vehicle system has a valid SIM that enables the provision of the eCall service. It is to be configured only for making an eCall, or it could also be used, in addition and as optional, for commercial service provision. In the first case, the IVS will be in a dormant mode (not traceable and active only in case of eCall triggering) https://eena.org/wp-content/uploads/eCall-and-open-issues-2018-revision.pdf https://eena.org/wp-content/uploads/eCall-and-open-issues-20...

throwawayboise 5y ago

Wirecutters. Find the antenna and clip the wire.

specktr 5y ago
Ill be buying a new car this summer and seriously considering doing this or other hardware mods to disable any modems/telemetry. Does anyone know of any forums or something similar dedicated to these types of car hardware mods?
- leesalminen 5y ago
  I've seen some posts on the various Toyota 4Runner forums about this. I'd check out the forums dedicated to your specific make/model.