this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2025
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Privacy

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I am sure this article has been shared before, however I wanted to have a look at this topic.
The articles short summary is this:

All 25 car brands we researched earned our *Privacy Not Included warning label – making cars the worst category of products that we have ever reviewed

I am currently driving a 2014 Ford Fiesta which just has a radio with a CD player and Bluetooth. I do not need more than that in a car.

The reason I am looking at all is that that the Fiesta does not belong to me and the friend owning it will be moving out in a bit, so I kinda need another one.

There seems to be one brand that is not as bad as the other ones (but still bad): Renault; mozilla's review...
Maybe I will have a look at their cars.

What do you guys think? Stick to older used cars and not use an EV or look at which of the manufacturers have the least bad privacy policy?

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[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 25 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Well that's it, I'm just going to drive my 23-year-old 350Z Roadster forever. As a 90s computer geek, I would have never imagined that future technology would turn me into a classic car guy, yet here we are.

I miss the days when spyware was treated like a virus; now it's the norm.

[–] jmf@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 week ago

Late 90s and early through mid 2000s cars are gems as they are still very reliable as well as easy to maintain. Being a privacy advocate in this day and age practically requires you to get a cheap wrench set and learn the basics of maintaining one of these era vehicles.

[–] BrilliantantTurd4361@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

2000s car is classic car

☠️☠️☠️ i feel old.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I know, right? I shuddered as I typed out that part of my comment. But yes, it's a 2004 model; in 2029 it'll be legally considered a classic where I live.

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Hell, our 2015 Highlander doesn't even have a connection to the outside world.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I believe it. 2015 is roughly the last model year before vehicle manufacturers started including this spyware crap en masse.

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

That generation Highlander (3rd gen) was made through 2019MY. No cellular connection (as far as I'm aware) through the entire production run. 4th gen has telemetry.