"Vehicle Data Transmission is On!" Sticker

Nope. No Alexa, etc either. I am an Android user, which has it's own issues but not to that level. I imagine I'll be on a pay as you go flip phone eventually, or none at all, the way things are going.

Elon Musk made the point tht we are already cyborgs because we are so integrated with smart phones. My wife gives me a hard time when I go out without a phone (I have 2). She says, "what will you do if something happens?" I'll do what I always did before when I didn't have a cell phone-I'll figure it out.

Guess my point is, with the internet, smart phones and social media, the world has changed in ways and at a pace we cannot fully grasp yet, and we won't appreciate the implications until we are looking at them through the lens of history, for better or worse. That's why I'm cautious.

 

Reading through this thread it’s clear to see how corporations can take the place of big government spying and tracking of individuals without much to stop them due to weak laws. It’s called sheeples. Sad.

 

What is always interesting to me in these threads is the number of people defending a company's right to collect personal information. Some are probably Toyota bots. But for the real people out there, if it doesn't bother you, why comment? If you think that everything will just "all work out" you should spend some time on the Reddit thread, "natureismetal" as a reminder that you are a participant in a real ecosystem, a lot of which considers you food. There are entire industries farming you and your data making trillions of dollars a year (no exaggeration). They depend on you not to care. I am not a tin foil hat guy. I just used to work in world that you have no idea your tax dollars are paying for.

Since this is a forum about trucks, here are a couple of likely uses for that data. (1) Gas Taxes. The federal government LOVES gas taxes, but they are declining as cars go electric and as cars are more efficient. Government is already figuring ways for electric car owners pay "their share" of road use costs by usage fees. There are an awful lot of elected officials who think the right answer is a mileage tax. Your 3rd gen truck already collects the information they need. Every road is now a toll road. (2) Insurance costs. The companies that use those OBD2 readers to judge risk are starting to gain advantage over companies who aren't. Insurers already know a lot about you just from available info (like the stuff collected by your phone). Once Toyota licenses the use of the data to the insurance industry, some of you are going to have a real surprise. (3) Even if you opt out, the cell phone in that DCM module is communicating to every cell tower you pass. There is nothing in the license Toyota had you sign that mentions third party collection. This info is already packaged and sold by the cell providers. It will provide another layer of understanding of your life. (4) Credit rating. The Chinese have something called a 'social credit' rating. Guess what, here is the title of a USA Today article from July 2021, "Congress considers credit-reporting overhaul, including putting government in charge of scores." Apparently, the current rating system is "unfair." If I wanted accurate behavioral data to judge your risk taking behavior, there would be few sources better than knowing how (and where) you drive.

So, is the fuze on my DCM module pulled, yes. Will it matter over the long run, probably not. At some point our helpful government will make it illegal to drive without one. Until then, I will opt out.

On a more fun note. Recently installed a Fox 2.0 lift. BFG KO2s. OEM Roof Rack. Clazzio seat covers (vinyl). Want to put a good partial bumper/winch on, but need one without any branding.

 

[QUOTE="EA18GTaco, post: 26196134, member: 373431"But for the real people out there, if it doesn't bother you, why comment?.[/QUOTE]

It's a forum to exchange views. If I have a different view than what is expressed by the OP I contribute, respectfully, so that there is another opinion, alternative, etc. to consider. I've learned a lot here and have gone in different directions several times because someone gave me something different to consider that I though was a better idea. Not saying one opinion on this thread is more right or wrong than another, and ultimately it's up to the OP to do what he or she wants. I would hope that if someone starts a thread here they are inviting discussion, otherwise things would get very dull here very quickly

 

You won’t be able to stop them with a thin foil hat. You need a aluminum cast helmet for that.

 

Don’t agree with my opinion? “You must must be a Toyota bot”.

Or maybe we live in a society and understand what tracking info is gathered and can be used for. Living you life paranoid thinking there is a big bad wolf around every corner must be trying.

If you don’t want people to comment views that you do not agree with, you should find another type of forum that. Calling people who don’t agree with you “bots” is whole another level of paranoia.

 

See where/how this thread paused? Look at the timing of the posts. It is interesting to see where the thread comes to a halt. If I were trying to discourage discussion on a specific topic, I would use a participant that was unnecessarily aggressive as a way to dissuade new people from posting. If I was really good, I'd pair it with a voice that suggested a post was shutting others out and that "all opinions have value." Just saying.

3RD Gen Owners Note: If you really want to be paranoid about DCM, you'll recognize that it is a transmitter AND receiver. Your truck has its own phone number and an IP address. There are folks in a couple places that I can think of that are energetically looking into ways to make money off these vulnerabilities. I can absolutely guarantee that your truck can be disabled remotely right now. It will eventually be marketed as a feature, undoubtedly for security. However, there are people who will be interested in using this capability both illegally (think about ransomware on your truck), or legally, like law enforcement. Not paranoia, by the way. Already used in a wide range of autos. I think 3rd gen will probably be the last one where you will be able to disable the connection without damaging the truck. Anyway, remember, it is only paranoia if they aren't out to get you.

 

That my Texas friend is what's called the placebo effect. I experienced the same thing

 

Same thing happens to me after the truck gets detailed

 

I pulled the DCM Fuse a while back.
Take note, the back-up battery in the unit is still (being charged) providing power to the DCM.
When I pulled the fuse for the DCM, the APP no longer was linked, however, I'm pretty sure the DCM is still transmitting data.
While driving one day, I was scrolling through the features, on the dash, via the controls on the steering wheel.
The truck (GPS?) told me the road I was traveling on. Is/was it able to do this through my phone? I'm not sure.

After about a month of taking possession of my truck, Sirius XM was calling me, wanting me to sign up for their service. I told them I was not interested.
They called me several times a week, with "better" incentives. Again I declined their services. Then I started getting mail in my mailbox. I trashed it.
Then come the flooding of emails. At that point I called them again, I DO NOT WANT YOUR SERVICES.
I told them, Cease all contact with me regarding your services, or I will sue you for harassment. All contact stopped.
Why do they want, SO BADLY for you to be connected to their service? Something to think about.

The DCM has been disconnected on mine now, for a few months.

 

Side note here when I picked up my truck yesterday before I left the salesman was sitting the in the truck with me just going over basics. He started to remove the sticker and I was like "hey, it says you cant remove it!" I was just joking, already knew what it was and hes like "this is the first sale where someone actually said something about it." He said a lot of his cars come back on trade a few years and people don't ever remove them.

 

This is just a wild guess mind you.....because selling subscriptions and increasing listenership numbers is how they make money?

 

Yep

Same type of fake “security” and ”safety” measures that took off after 9/11. Have given us things like the NSA that were finally outed as secretly violating their own restrictions on spying on US citizens.

“But its just” is a stupid road to travel on.

 

Government collusion with private industry to get around privacy laws when spying on citizens in the US. If only there was a term for that.

 

This is exactly what paranoia is… do you have any evidence to back the claims of the “truck can be disabled remotely”. I guess you have since you guarantee it. What about hacking etc. let’s see an example of this. Spewing baseless stuff and ending with “they are going to get you” without actual proof is paranoia.

 

As much as I tend to come down on the "I don't give a shit if the NSA tracks me" side of this discussion, starter interrupter with GPS location is well established technology and is used by many dealerships and lenders who deal in sub-prime auto loans. That much is not paranoia.

 

Worries about this, yet buys a laundry set with bluetooth, a fridge with bluetooth and has facebook messenger installed as he looks at PornHub before bedtime.

For today's viewing pleasure we present GILF Sarah Becomes a House Mom in a Frat House

 

Okay show me an example of stock a Toyota that was displayed remotely. Those system you described are after market immobilizes that dealers or financing companies install.