Automakers and Text Messages

[Ben]

I was not (but should have been) aware of this, but automakers save your text messages.

https://youtu.be/ugaqByoDr3c

[charby]

I always assumed someone was saving them, just don't text stuff that could land you in front of a judge.

[Ben]

I always assumed someone was saving them, just don't text stuff that could land you in front of a judge.

Ah, the old, "If you have nothing to hide..." argument. Good for you!

Of course "someone" saves them (if you're not on Signal). That doesn't mean you ignore who all accesses them. Plus it's not just the texts you send, it's the texts you receive.

[WLJ]

Don't act surprised, it was clearly stated in sub section 950 on page 3,501 of the EULA. You did read the EULA before using the device didn't you?

I remember a stink being raise over this a few years ago, I thought it was common knowledge.

[dogmush]

I assumed they were in the car.  I confess I'm not exactly sure how and when they makers download them.

[charby]

Ah, the old, "If you have nothing to hide..." argument. Good for you!

Of course "someone" saves them (if you're not on Signal). That doesn't mean you ignore who all accesses them. Plus it's not just the texts you send, it's the texts you receive.

Something as heavily advertised as Signal and the fact it is free, calls me skeptical on if it really only encrypted between the sender and the receiver. Information is money these days, why do you think ads start popping up on things you texted or talked about on your phone? As one example.

Not causing paranoia but in regard to the nothing to hide jest, someone is always listening or watching, next time you go to town, just start looking around for all the cameras, these are the ones you can see, I'm pretty sure there are tons more you can't see. 30 years ago, all you needed was a pin hole in a wall for a camera to view out, I can't even fathom how far tech has become since then. I often wonder when I'm in the middle of a section of tall corn if I'm in a spot where no one is watching.

[HankB]

. . . I often wonder when I'm in the middle of a section of tall corn if I'm in a spot where no one is watching.

It depends a lot on the camera's field of view and the altitude of the nearest government surveillance drone.   

[charby]

It depends a lot on the camera's field of view and the altitude of the nearest government surveillance drone.   

It's amazing how many satellites, airplanes, and drones that do fly over and survey during the growing season collecting data on climate and growth patterns. Of course, you can't see the satellites, but you can subscribe to a service called Climate FieldView to get current data on your fields from satellite intel. Farmers that subscribe are pretty willing to show it off, especially since the upper Midwest is in year 3 of a drought cycle.

[cordex]

I always assumed someone was saving them, just don't text stuff that could land you in front of a judge.

Carriers save them, sure.  I'm sure 5 Eyes partners do too. 

I'd note that the more people who store them, the more likely they'll be misused or improperly accessed.  Nor is landing in front of a judge the only concern one might have with personal communications getting out.

[charby]

Nor is landing in front of a judge the only concern one might have with personal communications getting out.

Like what?

[AZRedhawk44]

I file this under "duh."

Don't pair your phone to your car if you don't want data from your phone on your car.  The automakers never consider a means for consumers to purge/break vehicle partnerships with phones because that's not sexy and doesn't sell.

[Ben]

I file this under "duh."

Don't pair your phone to your car if you don't want data from your phone on your car.  The automakers never consider a means for consumers to purge/break vehicle partnerships with phones because that's not sexy and doesn't sell.

I don't think either the phone makers or automakers want to. It would be super easy to add an intuitive interface to a smartphone to let you pick and choose what connects to your vehicle. I hate getting text messages and phone calls while I'm driving, but like to use music and maps. That should all be a "check or uncheck the box" interface. They all want you to be fully connected though.

[cordex]

Like what?

...

A joke taken out of context?  A romantic affair coming to light?  Personal medical or mental health information becoming public?  Details about children's schedules getting into the wrong hands?  Pictures of a sensitive nature?

[WLJ]

...

A joke taken out of context?  A romantic affair coming to light?  Personal medical or mental health information becoming public?  Details about children's schedules getting into the wrong hands?  Pictures of a sensitive nature?

You were in Washington on J6

[cordex]

You were in Washington on J6

I think that qualifies under charby's "just don't text stuff that could land you in front of a judge."  Also, charby has previously expressed glee at political over-prosecution of people at the January 6th riot, so I'm not sure he'd see the downside anyway.

[RoadKingLarry]

The chair is against the wall.
John has a long mustache.

[WLJ]

[charby]

...

A joke taken out of context?  A romantic affair coming to light?  Personal medical or mental health information becoming public?  Details about children's schedules getting into the wrong hands?  Pictures of a sensitive nature?

Gotcha, but any app could be hacked at some point and glean that data. Anyone with a cellphone carries with them a tracking device and data collector.

[charby]

Also, charby has previously expressed glee at political over-prosecution of people at the January 6th riot, so I'm not sure he'd see the downside anyway.

Yep, because they FAFO, in regards to J6.

The downside is we let it happen by allowing cell phones and all the tech to be a necessary part of our daily lives. Really no reason to kvetch about it now, just like the supporters of the Patriot Act 20 years ago. Not putting that Genie back in the bottle.

[dogmush]

I don't think either the phone makers or automakers want to. It would be super easy to add an intuitive interface to a smartphone to let you pick and choose what connects to your vehicle. I hate getting text messages and phone calls while I'm driving, but like to use music and maps. That should all be a "check or uncheck the box" interface. They all want you to be fully connected though.

You mean like this?


There's usually a prompt to decide what to share when you first pair too.  I know when I pair my phone to rental cars, I only share audio for streaming.  No phone calls, text, or contacts.

[Ben]

You mean like this?
[img width=300]https://i.imgur.com/f6mCjgs.pn

There's usually a prompt to decide what to share when you first pair too.  I know when I pair my phone to rental cars, I only share audio for streaming.  No phone calls, text, or contacts.

Well, thanks - I found something similar, but I'll need to investigate further. Right now it shows messages on but phone calls off on my 4Runner, but I receive both.