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Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by mikece on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:08PM (#35472098)
Wake me up when there's an EV that is just a car and not an always-connected surveillance device on wheels.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jimlongton on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:13PM (#35472173)
I work in the industry. It's not a "vehicle" any more - it's a "platform" to "engage" with customers, i.e. sell your data and lock features behind ridiculous monthly fees. That is now the mantra of the automotive industry. It really kills any enthusiasm I have for new cars.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by giantg2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:19PM (#35472271)
Wishing I still had my 89 Caprice with physical buttons and switches. Parts were insanely cheap too (except the transmission, which I part of why I got rid of it).
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by croutonwagon on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:30PM (#35472422)
This is why I’m keeping my 09 Toyota. Upgraded the radio to a CarPlay capable head unit. But it was the perfect fit of modern safety features, a couple nice to haves like backup camera, but none of that always connected on star style crap.

Will drive it till it rusts out and in praying the market will have corrected by then

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jimt1234 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:00PM (#35473571)
I still own a 2000 Nissan with a cassette deck. I just wish it had a manual transmission, too.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by TylerE on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:25PM (#35472362)
You wouldn’t be wishing that the first time you were in an accident.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by travisr on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:44PM (#35472603)
It’s sad that we have to choose between physical safety and privacy.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by giantg2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:47PM (#35473421)
There are some non-EVs that you can get with limited tech (until the newer laws kick in). You can disable the connection in some vehicles. For example, there are guides on how to disable onstar to various degrees (removing the antenna, removing the bridge to the network chip, etc). EVs tend to be tech heavy because the costs associates with them require targeting the premium market to make a profit.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by giantg2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:46PM (#35472637)
The theory would be to rebuild it with a roll cage, harness, etc for mixed use. In theory, these safety systems are superior to airbags. The only impediments to helmets/Hans with a real harness are people who don't use the existing seat belt (airbag can prevent ejection) and they are too inconvenient for the general public.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by TylerE on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:14PM (#35473034)
absolutely not. Roll cages are completely unsafe in a street car unless you’re wearing a helmet.

Also two words: Crumple zones. You don’t want a super hard Skelton, that will only increase crash forces.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by giantg2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:28PM (#35473224)
"Roll cages are completely unsafe in a street car unless you’re wearing a helmet."

No shit, that's why I mention a helmet.

Roll cages, if properly done, do not affect crumple zones. The passenger compartment should not be crumbling and that's the only part a roll cage should be in. Keep in mind that actual race cars have a rigid occupant compartment, crash at higher speeds, and have great safety records due in part to the protection offered from a harness, helmet, and hans. On the other hand, airbags are more prone to failure and can injure or even kill people.

The only reason I mention a roll cage is because it would be for dual use. You could use a helmet/hans in place of an airbag in a regular street car and would likely be safer. Again, the only reasons we have for not doing that is that some people don't use their seat belts and most people would find it inconvenient.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by dmitryminkovsky on Thursday April 06, 2023 @10:00PM (#35477119)
I think crumple zones are unrelated to the roll cage in GP's comment. It's nice to have a crumple zone, right?
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by dmitryminkovsky on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:50PM (#35474219)
Sad reality of it all! Want safety? Buy this engagement platform.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by m463 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:02PM (#35472874)
> It really kills any enthusiasm I have for new cars.

... and televisions, and phone apps, and solar inverters (with wifi!) and air purifiers (with wifi!) and drones (with wifi to activate) and scooters (to activate), and on and on...

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by the_snooze on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:20PM (#35473111)
Consumer tech takes a lot of cues from domestic abusers. “I want to know everything about you and who you talk to.” “I will do what I want to you with little notice or recourse.” “You can’t leave me that easily.”
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by voakbasda on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:47PM (#35473429)
I would assert that consumer tech manufacturers are domestic abusers when they take things to this level.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by daniel_reetz on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:47PM (#35473433)
Also making the victim believe they are at fault for the abusive behavior.

I can't count the number of times I've heard naive users blame themselves when it's a device/system/app misaligned with their interests.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by DesiLurker on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:55PM (#35474287)
It seems to me that we have long past the road building stage in US economy & now mostly in toll-booths stage of things. I wonder if we will ever go back. Maybe AI will change that but not very hopeful.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by stalfosknight on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:03PM (#35472887)
Why does everyfuckingthing have to be about "engaging" with customers? Why can't people just be left with their private business?
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by beepbooptheory on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:26PM (#35473183)
Because from the companies point of view, what's the real downside? If their goal was to simply make a good product, then none of this stuff would really be used, but they have longterm growth to think about too!
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by everdrive on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:04PM (#35472899)
This is the most depressing thing I’ve read all day. I have two trucks. A 2010, and 1998. I was going to sell the 2010 for redundancy, but I don’t think I can. The 2010 is in pristine condition, and should last another decade if I’m careful with it. I’ll have to acquiesce to the modern trend with cars eventually, but I hope to hold out as long as I can.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jacquesm on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:14PM (#35473040)
My daily driver is a '97 and it's not going to get sold, ever, until it falls apart.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by cryptoegorophy on Thursday April 06, 2023 @05:00PM (#35474360)
Same as gaming apps on the phone. Good old days had no pay to win models.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by AndrewOMartin on Friday April 07, 2023 @05:00PM (#35486938)
They could steal a term from gaming and call a car a "drive service".
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by heresie-dabord on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:40PM (#35472561)
False constraint. Not all EVs are made in a country with lax privacy laws.

I have a European-made EV that has no "intelligent" (surveillance) capability at all.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jjulius on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:33PM (#35472446)
The Nissan Leaf is exactly that. I don't pay for any service that connects it to the cloud. It's a standalone device.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by rationalist on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:36PM (#35472500)
> I don't pay for any service that connects it to the cloud.

So it has the capability to connect? No thanks. I don't think that's the distinction OP was trying to make.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jjulius on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:39PM (#35472538)
>So it has the capability to connect? No thanks.

All well and good for you, and I don't fault you for making that decision for yourself. OP's stated requirement was...

>not an always-connected surveillance device

... which without opting into the service, the Leaf is not.

Happy to have OP clarify for themselves, though.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by RussianCow on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:44PM (#35472605)
The fact that you don't pay for it doesn't guarantee that it doesn't still connect to the cloud and share your data.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by rationalist on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:45PM (#35472616)
> always-connected

I'm betting the car always connects, it's just whether or not you enable any benefits of the connection.

Anyone with actual knowledge about cars with such devices willing to chime in?

Edit: consider how the car knows whether or not you're paying for any service.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by wcunning on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:07PM (#35472948)
Work in the industry -- the reason you have to pay is that the companies do not contract with Verizon/ATT/Tmo to have always on connection unless you eat the cost. This is changing going forward due to the value of always on system monitoring (DTCs, oil change interval etc) to say you didn't do your part and the warranty is void, but that's not on stuff from the last 10 years and won't ever be. Also, current things don't benefit past the warranty period, which is why you have to pay beyond that point if you want e.g. remote start. This will change in the next couple of years with OTA updates and whatnot, but that's only now on Mercedes/BMW/etc and only just getting onto Ford/GM/Stellantis/etc.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jjulius on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:19PM (#35473091)
Thank you.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by to11mtm on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:17PM (#35473786)
My understanding of OnStar is that you have to disconnect some things to -truly- disable it. (Probably to let people 're-subscribe' if they try to use the thing when they aren't current customers.)

Other systems... I can say my Maverick lets you select whether to have vehicle location data shared or not, but TBH I don't trust opt-outs. [0] I've also run into the issue on my said car, where my opt-outs got de-opted when the dealer runs updates.

[0] - Also as a side note, I've had at least one loan note in the past (from a larger bank) where they stated a tracking device may be placed in the vehicle. Not sure whether they sell that data.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by lostlogin on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:14PM (#35473036)
> So it has the capability to connect?

I don’t think so. I was trying to get a firmware update, and I can’t without going to a dealer as far as I can tell.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by ctvo on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:23PM (#35472339)
> Wake me up when there's an EV that is just a car and not an always-connected surveillance device on wheels.

This is an easy way to excuse Tesla's behavior. You're implying everyone does it. <shrug> What can ya do, right?

There's 0 evidence other car companies are allowing PII like this to be spread internally, and employees are so brazen as to use them as the basis for memes.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by mikece on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:26PM (#35472375)
I'm saying exactly the opposite. I will never consider getting an EV as long as it's full-time tethered to the mothership and my car can be deactivated/bricked/broken remotely either on purpose or by accident. I want my car to be MY property, not a device obeying inputs from someone somewhere else.

And absolutely no surveillance built in. Until then I'll stick to gasoline cars.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by croutonwagon on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:32PM (#35472437)
A lot of gas cars do this too. With services like onstar and low rate data connections either via satellite or even lte etc.

Many modern cars are this way. Tesla is just egregious about it. Ford, Toyota etc can still do it.

Remember the remote start payment plan for Toyota?

https://www.thedrive.com/news/43329/toyota-made-its-key-fob-...

Or even the reports of hacking a cars canbus?

https://www.dmv.com/blog/can-your-car-be-remotely-hacked-523...

All that said though. I totally agree. I will never drive a car like this or one that tells me I need to update before I can drive.

And if I do get a computer car (at least one like a Tesla that runs something resembling a Linux or bsd kernel, then I would expect to be able to access that system just like the engine etc). It’s my property.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by giantg2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:28PM (#35472395)
Even without the privacy issues, I want cars that are simple and have less tech.

The absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence. Even so, there are documented security issues with most connected vehicles.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by temac on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:30PM (#35472423)
This data should not even be collected in the first place. Even just the collection is 1984-style.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jjtheblunt on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:22PM (#35472309)
BMW i3 was such a car, but they stopped making it. I loved mine (2014) but sold it needing longer range than first year battery size allowed.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by progman32 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:27PM (#35473201)
Current owner of a '14 i3. Sorry, but the i3 has a telematics module and a cell modem. It talks to BMW. The first gen ones only have a 3g modem though, so at least they are muzzled in areas that have dropped that network.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jjtheblunt on Thursday April 06, 2023 @05:32PM (#35474802)
true, true. i could get simple remote control and status via the MyBMW app, but it wasn't video recording me.
[dead]
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by ceejayoz on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:22PM (#35472307)
Can you link to this regulation or coverage of it?

I can find a proposed requirement for data portability when cars are connected (the European Data Act; https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_...) but nothing of the nature you're describing.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by eternalban on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:31PM (#35472429)
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/security-and-em...

-- from source --

Compulsory for new car models

If you buy a new model of car, approved for manufacture after 31 March 2018, it must have the 112-based eCall system installed. This rule applies both to cars with no more than 8 seats and light commercial vehicles. If you have a car which is already registered, you are not obliged to retrofit an eCall device but you can have it installed if your car meets the technical requirements.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by ceejayoz on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:36PM (#35472501)
> Your eCall system is only activated if your vehicle is involved in a serious accident. The rest of the time the system remains inactive. This means that when you are simply driving your vehicle, no tracking (registering your car's position or monitoring your driving) or transmission of data takes place.

I'm not inclined to see this as anything remotely similar to what a Tesla has, and would hesitate to call it a "connected car" off such a feature by itself. The claim of "connected at all times" appears to also be a falsehood.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by throwaway50609 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:22PM (#35472325)
It's named eCall
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by TheLoafOfBread on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:41PM (#35472572)
eCall is not permanently connected to GSM network
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jimnotgym on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:22PM (#35472308)
Perhaps you could elaborate?
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by throwaway50609 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:23PM (#35472330)
Find out what is eCall. This is nothing new, cars have it for several years now.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by netsharc on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:25PM (#35472356)
Is this FUD, or you got any links? AFAIK the EU regulations require only an on-board system that can call emergency services after the car detects a collision, yes it means requiring a modem that can transfer GPS coordinates (to make it easier to locate the accident), it doesn't mean (again, AFAIK) "has to be connected at all times".

Again, I'd google it myself to see if what you're claiming is true, but I have a hunch it'd just be wasting my time because someone makes a wrong claim online. But hey, maybe I should start baking the humble pie while waiting for the citations from trustworthy sources?

Edit: you've replied to other comments saying "lookup eCall". That's what I described in the first paragraph. Not "connected all the time". Throwaway commenter writes bullshit, news at 11!

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by sneak on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:12PM (#35472164)
Wake up. I'm told Tesla has an undocumented factory option to buy a car without radios, for heads of state and their security and suchlike.

I'm not sure how difficult or possible it is to actually get a car so configured, but you can always rip out the GSM radio yourself if you wish (which voids your warranty, natch).

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by survirtual on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:22PM (#35472306)
That is the vehicle I want.

A bare bones, maximum efficiency, rugged EV.

A man can dream.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by CamperBob2 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:50PM (#35472691)
I think we'll start to see ICE-to-EV conversion kits become more popular over the next decade or so. So you may get your wish, just not with a brand-new car.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by asdff on Thursday April 06, 2023 @08:59PM (#35476730)
I think that's a pipe dream. Changing the powerplant on a car is not cheap at all, and thats when you are doing a 1 to 1 swap with something the car is built to handle. The battery array needs to go someplace too and it is quite large and heavy.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by survirtual on Sunday April 09, 2023 @12:08PM (#35504022)
Thanks for saying it, I didn’t have the energy to.

ICE to EV has been around for a while before EV’s were mainstream and was much more expensive ultimately than buying a new Tesla, with significantly lower construction quality and performance results.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jackmott42 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:45PM (#35472618)
Wake up, every car is like this, not just EVs
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by LightBug1 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:09PM (#35473683)
I drive a 69 Beetle.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by paxys on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:45PM (#35472625)
You'd have better luck moving to a country with privacy laws. This problem isn't restricted to EVs. Every new car has all these same "features" now.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by rootusrootus on Thursday April 06, 2023 @02:50PM (#35472696)
Chevy Bolt. There are others, too, not every EV is trying to copy Tesla.

Yes, OnStar, but that's 1) not specific to EVs, and 2) trivial to disable.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by 98codes on Thursday April 06, 2023 @05:29PM (#35474768)
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by barbazoo on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:08PM (#35472951)
Cars being "connected" is orthogonal to cars being EVs so keep an eye on non-EVs with that crap installed too.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by lostlogin on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:13PM (#35473017)
A Leaf.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by rsync on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:18PM (#35473076)
Our Chevy bolt was just that.

Just a normal car, but electric.

We have an Audi etron now and I can’t stand it. I miss the bolt.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by pilingual on Thursday April 06, 2023 @05:03PM (#35474416)
The Bolt itself was excellent, app was hands down the worst app I've ever installed on my phone.

What is wrong with the Audi?

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by ChuckNorris89 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:20PM (#35473107)
>Wake me up when there's an EV that is just a car and not an always-connected surveillance device on wheels.

Dacia Spring if you live in Europe. Doesn't get any more barebones than that.

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by Youden on Thursday April 06, 2023 @03:27PM (#35473205)
I have a Kia EV6. It's perfectly functional without an internet connection.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by jimt1234 on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:08PM (#35473669)
Give me the original Tesla Roadster - a bunch of batteries, cool looking, and four wheels. That's it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKDqhWwzzgo

Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by speedgoose on Thursday April 06, 2023 @04:25PM (#35473896)
It’s time to wake up.
Re:Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “... by benhurmarcel on Friday April 07, 2023 @05:58AM (#35479953)
That's most EVs outside of Tesla and startups.