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Comment by samsullivan

9 hours ago

Your mileage went from VW->telematics vendor->broker->carfax, thats the chain it usually follows. The fuse stops it but the real issue is the owner is the only one without the record.

You could probably find some interesting info if you send out some privacy requests through the chain. LexisNexis and Verisk are consumer reporting agencies, so they have to provide you a disclosure on request. Start there.

So I first read this comment and thought is looked like AI and thought I’d give the benefit of the doubt. Then I saw this where there is no doubt: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49687774

I thought, I wonder if it’s the same guy? Sure enough.

Stop it.

  • > I’d give the benefit of the doubt.

    So fucking do it! Who died and made you the style police?

    > Stop it.

    He's making reasonable points, in a readable fashion.

    You, on the other hand...

    What's your point? AI bad? Srsly, is that all you've got?

Is there usually a fuse that just turns off the telemetry? I would be surprised if that is the case. I could see the design being "if you turn this fuse off to turn off telemetry, you'll also lose these functions: ..." and if they did it "right" they'd make the car non-functional.

My car is from 2011 and I do wonder if there is any telemetry in it.

  • Probably has something to do with the fact that car companies are obsessed with having the thing modularized, each module needing a fuse.

  • Yeah an electrical fuse for telemetry seems really odd. Even without malice it would be strange if disconnecting power to some part of the computer only affected telemetry.

    I could see a fuse for cellular comms, be presumably that would also disable maps, contacting emergency services in an accident, etc. which might be an acceptable tradeoff.

    • My Ford has a dedicated fuse for accessory packages that include the modem. Mine doesn't have any other options that share that fuse so it is functionally the telemetry fuse.

  • There’s probably a fuse to turn off the cellular radio that transmits the data. Whether that’s all it covers may vary from car to car. Or in some models it’s probably possible to just disconnect the radio entirely.

  • Telemetry is usually a standalone module. Heres one off a 26 Hyundai Palisade -- Telematics (DCU) Part num: 96510P9100 firmware (OTA updatable) 01F.7.CAN.3.000.18.714.9

    Its only job is to detect harsh acceleration and brake events. Probably being sold to your insurer.