Stop Toyota Tracking You

I thought I would post about this, it’s been mentioned but I don’t know that it included all of the details I am about to mention. I have a 2020, I do not know how 2019s or older work so take this with a grain of salt if you do not have a 2020.

The 2020s include a SOS button. Next to the SOS button is a sticker, the sticker is labeled that driving data is being shared with Toyota and that the sticker should only be removed by the owner. The sticker further stated that if you wanted to change your data tracking preferences, press the SOS button. If you have downloaded the app, you’ll see that you have consented to have your data shared with their insurance partners to be able to use the app to its fullest potential, driver score, remote start, tracking, valet or driver modes, etc.

So what happens when you press the SOS button? You are asked if this is an emergency. With a response of no, you are then presented with choices. I chose the accounts or subscriptions, I forget the exact term. I was welcomed with a friendly voice and asked how I could be assisted. I asked that they turn the data tracking services off. In response, I was asked why as there are many benefits. I simply said that I have the app on my phone and I don’t see a need for me personally for this service. I further explained that I know the data is shared with the insurance industry and that I receive enough spam as it is and I don’t need any more from the insurance industry. I was then told that they could assist me with this although I would have to agree with the following;

This is not verbatim but the paragraph read pretty much states that all connected services, including tracking, theft recovery tracking and roadside assistance will be lost and then asked me if I agree. I said yes. The person I spoke to said thank you and that the green light on my SOS button would turn off and that my SOS button would then do nothing except connect to the service for the ability to turn connected services back on.

I watched the light go off upon hanging up. When checking the app on my phone, I can no longer remote start, lock or unlock the vehicle, see the mileage or fuel level. It does however give me the ability to view the vehicles health as well as I can call Toyota Roadside Assistance.

So that is it. No longer will it give me my driver score, the bulk of the data sharing but it does take away the ability to unlock/lock, view fuel level, mileage, valet mode, guest drivers, etc. so if these are feature you want / need, your hands are tied and you cannot turn off vehicle tracking.

I can however also go right back into my app and turn these features back on if I consent to data tracking and sharing of that data again so reversing what I’ve done earlier is pretty simple.

Once again, just thought I’d share if anyone is curious.

 

Kinda glad I just bought a 2019.

 

Then I hope you do have the entune app installed on your phone.

 

Personally, I don’t care. If someone wants to track my boring ass life, let them.

 

OP, when you say "lose the ability to lock/unlock the truck, fuel mileage etc." you need to be more specific. Do you lose the ability to use this stuff at all, like you cant use the keyfob any longer and have to manually insert the key into the door? Fuel level doesnt show up on the dashboard anymore?

 

Good. They don’t need to be tracking is and selling our info. I didn’t like the nanny controls of the TSS as it is

 

He would have meant through the app you lose those functions.

 

That makes sense now. Isn't it as simple as not having the app on your phone? Or can you then not use the radio/nav/whatever else entune does? I don't even remember setting up an app for my 2018.

 

Another reason I love my 2017!

No tracking
No TSS
No BS

 

I live in providence. The most insurance is going to get is that I need the brakes a lot, nothing they don't already know from this cluster fuck of driving down here.

 

That I do not.

I don’t think it matters... if you BT your phone to the radio, Info is sent. This (in my opinion) has to be the way my Dealer gets my mileage and sends me emails for service. The emails have always had mileage in them and I had just passed that mileage in the last 24-48 hrs.

 

Has anybody here had a claim denied because their insurance cited the manufacturer's tracking data of the vehicle?

 

Everyone:

 

I dont care if Toyota tracks me or has info about me, i dont care if they loose it, sell it, use it etc. All those are already happening for everyone who has a cell phone, or used internet in any ways. Same people who claim this is a big issue are also the people who suggest using google maps over toyota's navigation.

 

Engine stops the moment you open the door, so at best the thief can sit inside the car. Anything it can do it from there he can also do by breaking into the car.

 

Thanks for the answer to the posters question. Just to confirm again, you ONLY lose these abilities in the Toyota App. And once again, if you wanted to turn these features back on, you would just simply have to consent again within the App.

As for the people who are happy they bought a 19 or older. Come on now, I’d rather have a feature that I could turn off than one I never had.

Me personally, the features and app have little use to me although I could see how someone living in an apartment complex would want remote start if their FOB didn’t reach. It sucks that Toyota has to tie all of this together but that’s another method of how they make money, selling your info.

FWIW, parents who want a little more control over their kids when driving mom or dads vehicle, this is a downright awesome feature. I personally don’t think that way, it’s just the way I was raised and experienced life but I respect parents who make different choices than me.