Ford could be reporting drivers to the police in the future?

[rugedraw]

>> Very simple fix

Just try to disable any module or transducer in your Bronco Sport, and let us know what happens.

In regards to this, I have braved through many unconventional procedures when it comes to module programming and tinkering on both of my Fords. I can tell you with 100% confidence that you can unplug the TCU and have not issues with drivability. Your Ford app won't work, connected navigation won't work, etc. However, the vehicle itself will run and drive at 100% capacity. Many tin-foil hat wearing people already have the TCU unplugged to prevent data sharing to Ford. Go into your touchscreen and look for the "connected vehicle features" menu and click the little circled letter "i" on the right.

None of this is new. The fact that they may possibly send it directly to the cops is the only news here. They have been collecting this data for years.

 

[Uncle Brad]

In regards to this, I have braved through many unconventional procedures when it comes to module programming and tinkering on both of my Fords. I can tell you with 100% confidence that you can unplug the TCU and have not issues with drivability. Your Ford app won't work, connected navigation won't work, etc. However, the vehicle itself will run and drive at 100% capacity. Many tin-foil hat wearing people already have the TCU unplugged to prevent data sharing to Ford. Go into your touchscreen and look for the "connected vehicle features" menu and click the little circled letter "i" on the right.

None of this is new. The fact that they may possibly send it directly to the cops is the only news here. They have been collecting this data for years.

>> Your Ford app won't work, connected navigation won't work, etc.

Did you pay for these apps? Had you been informed by the Connected Vehicle Privacy Policy, or in any other user-accessible documentation, that in disconnecting your TCU what the short and long term impact to you might be?

>> the vehicle itself will run and drive at 100% capacity

Who determines what comprises 100% capacity? How do you know this to be absolutely true?

>> They have been collecting this data for years.

Does this fact make it OK? How does it serve two squelch our "tin-foil hat" fears? How do we know whether or not the consequences of their historical gathering of data has not yet manifested itself?

 

[Uncle Brad]

On you tube I watched a discussion with Ford about the subject online a month ago saying Ford considers it an invasion of privacy without a warrant specifically for the person driving the car. Though several companies, domestic and foreign report the information. Also it is reported to your insurance company not law inforcement. Apparently the vehicles with emergency location buttons in that system have a button in the overhead where you can turn it off.
They were also showing how to find the location detector with the system recording device and removing it. The state doing so does not negatively impact sensors and safety or driver assistance devices.

>> Ford considers it an invasion of privacy without a warrant specifically for the person driving the car.

But yet Ford demonstrably has been nailed for selling your driving data to data brokers like LexisNexus and Verisk Analytics, who - in turn - sell it to insurance companies. Those insurance do NOT have any qualms about potential "invasion of privacy".

>> Also it is reported to your insurance company not law inforcement.

How do you know that? Also, how do you know whether or not the data they DO provide - along with other available data - can reveal your driving habits, etc. This "metadata" argument ran its course long ago.

 

[rugedraw]

>> Your Ford app won't work, connected navigation won't work, etc.

Did you pay for these apps? Had you been informed by the Connected Vehicle Privacy Policy, or in any other user-accessible documentation, that in disconnecting your TCU what the short and long term impact to you might be?

>> the vehicle itself will run and drive at 100% capacity

Who determines what comprises 100% capacity? How do you know this to be absolutely true?

>> They have been collecting this data for years.

Does this fact make it OK? How does it serve two squelch our "tin-foil hat" fears? How do we know whether or not the consequences of their historical gathering of data has not yet manifested itself?

Ford app is free; I do not pay for connected Ford navigation.

I know it to be true because of many people who have been driving their vehicles for years with the TCU unplugged. I also know plenty of people who exported their vehicle to a country where Ford connectivity is not supported rendering their TCU useless and the vehicle still works fine; minus the connected features, of course.

Whether this is ok or not is a matter of opinion to whom you ask. I don't like the idea of manufacturers collecting this data and selling it third parties. I am sure most people would agree. Whatever data they've collected and sold I am sure is already "affecting" drivers as there is enough of a database to do. It isn't just Ford that does this......all brands do.

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish by this series of questions. If you don't want to disconnect your TCU, then don't. I have mine plugged in because I like to use my Ford app and the ability to receive OTA updates on my F150. I manually turned off the data sharing to Ford that I dodn't want them to have. The only point of my original comment is that should Ford force this on future vehicles where the owner cannot turn it off with a toggle, then this can be defeated by unplugging the TCU or pulling the fuse that coincides with it. If you have any reasons to believe that unpolugging the modem will have future ramifications, then simply leave it as it is.

 

[NMBroncoSport]

No idea if this is true, but I hope not.
The technology is there.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ERwHBXn2u/

I don't believe Ford has any incentive to intentionally antagonize their customers or treat their customers like potential criminals.

 

[poncespr]

Ford app is free; I do not pay for connected Ford navigation.

I know it to be true because of many people who have been driving their vehicles for years with the TCU unplugged. I also know plenty of people who exported their vehicle to a country where Ford connectivity is not supported rendering their TCU useless and the vehicle still works fine; minus the connected features, of course.

Whether this is ok or not is a matter of opinion to whom you ask. I don't like the idea of manufacturers collecting this data and selling it third parties. I am sure most people would agree. Whatever data they've collected and sold I am sure is already "affecting" drivers as there is enough of a database to do. It isn't just Ford that does this......all brands do.

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish by this series of questions. If you don't want to disconnect your TCU, then don't. I have mine plugged in because I like to use my Ford app and the ability to receive OTA updates on my F150. I manually turned off the data sharing to Ford that I dodn't want them to have. The only point of my original comment is that should Ford force this on future vehicles where the owner cannot turn it off with a toggle, then this can be defeated by unplugging the TCU or pulling the fuse that coincides with it. If you have any reasons to believe that unpolugging the modem will have future ramifications, then simply leave it as it is.

These settings can be disabled on the radio without removing remote start and lock/unlock?

 

[rugedraw]

These settings can be disabled on the radio without removing remote start and lock/unlock?

Yea, the data sharing can be disabled in the touchscreen settings. Whether it is on Sync 3 or Sync 4.

 

[BBBronk]

Automakers submit for patents and trademarks all the time for products, services, and ideas that never ever see the light of day. This is most likely one of those ideas.

I couldn’t disagree more. Maybe not tomorrow, nor next year, but 100% this idea will come true. After that it will be autonomous cars and we will not be able to drive. You will have no more control on how long it takes you to get somewhere than you do over a train or plane.

 

[Uncle Brad]

I don't believe Ford has any incentive to intentionally antagonize their customers or treat their customers like potential criminals.

... but they sometimes nevertheless do.

 

[Uncle Brad]

I couldn’t disagree more. Maybe not tomorrow, nor next year, but 100% this idea will come true. After that it will be autonomous cars and we will not be able to drive. You will have no more control on how long it takes you to get somewhere than you do over a train or plane.

Exactly. And, in the end, who will profit from it? The one with the patent...

 

[Uncle Brad]

Yea, the data sharing can be disabled in the touchscreen settings. Whether it is on Sync 3 or Sync 4.

How do you know? Have you put an analyzer on it to look at the packets, or are you just trusting Ford?

 

[Robins21]

Being caught breaking the law out in public on a public road is not an infringement on freedom. People are free to be a passenger or take another form of transportation, not to drive at any speed they wish (also free to petition for different traffic laws). And we all deserve safety on the road, but unfortunately over 2 million are injured and 40,000 killed every year just in the US.

Well said, I agree. I am sick of people who are always in a hurry & have to speed on town roads.

 

[rugedraw]

How do you know? Have you put an analyzer on it to look at the packets, or are you just trusting Ford?

That, sir, I do not know. I do not monitor the traffic from my modem. Some people on other forums have and some of the sites that the modem talks to are alarming and unexplicable to say the least. For me, personally, I keep my TCU plugged in. In my ignorance of what may or may not be shared, the pros outweigh the cons. You and others may feel differently and if so, there is a way to take your vehicle off the grid. It is up to the owners to weigh those things out for themselves.

 

[Uncle Brad]

Well said, I agree. I am sick of people who are always in a hurry & have to speed on town roads.

>> Being caught breaking the law out in public on a public road is not an infringement on freedom.

I'm certain that nobody on this thread would disagree with you on this.

 

[NMBroncoSport]

... but they sometimes nevertheless do.

They don't. Do you have any example?

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