Egregoros

I would like to have a new electric car but the whole data collection part is the main thing keeping me away from it.

So I liked this article quite a lot. Forgot where I found it, likely here somewhere on the fediverse...

https://arkadiyt.com/2026/05/13/removing-the-modem-and-gps-from-my-rav4/

@mcfly Definitely do not want a modern car, irrespective of driveline because of data collection issues.

I'm using a PinePhone as I do not like the data collection issues, walled gardens and other issues such as data sovereignty associated with Apple or Google's offerings so why on earth would I want a car with CarPlay or Android Auto in it?

Or the car manufacturers own version of such things?

Or closed source engine and brake management systems? Or always on internet access?

@the_wub I don't want the data collecting, the always on, the constant monitoring so in case of an accidents the manufacturer can proof is not his fault.

I would prefer open source on the software but especially when it comes to stuff like engine management that's not very high on my list.

I like the accident detection and alarming but if buy that third party and just put that on the car.

@mcfly
My 2003 Corolla has a closed source engine management system.

But to hack it you would need to connect a device to the car via an OBD-II cable.

So there is no real risk of any potential software vulnerabilities ever being exploited.

More modern cars have electronics controlling everything and the separate systems, brakes, engine management, infotainment systems etc can be linked together.

With unintended consequences as with the 2015 Jeep Cherokee hack mentioned in the article.