Nearly all modern car uploads location, speed, information on every device you have connected to your car, your contacts, in-car conversations with built-in microphones and video recordings with built-in camera 24/7.

Needs suggestions for modern vehicles that doesn’t come with ads or telemetry built in.

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[–] 39 points 3 weeks ago* (5 children)

Bicycles and sneakers don't do this yet

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  • [–] 9 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

    Depending on what phone is in your pocket

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  • [–] 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

    One with a local VPN ad blocker

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  • [–] 17 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)
  • [–] 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 child)

    Motorcycles don’t do this, but practicality is limited in a lot of scenarios. If it does fit your life (don’t use it for cargo, climate allows, etc.) then it can be much cheaper to maintain, insure and tax. I commute that way whenever weather allows and even modern motorcycles are available in mechanically simple models. If you can hold a spanner and follow an IKEA manual you can do most things yourself.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 weeks ago

    I bought a Grom a couple of years ago, brand new, for under US$4000 and I get around 130 mpg. I don't travel far to commute and we don't get too many days where I can't ride.

    Pretty much use my 2001 car for shopping trips or distances that'd take too long on the bike.

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  • [–] 13 points 3 weeks ago* (1 child)

    Electric cargo bike. Why not get two or three, they're cheap up front and in operation. Fuck cars, dude.

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  • [–] 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 child)

    Are you OK with buying a well-maintained used car?

    Also seconding recommendations for walking, bikes, and public transit.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 weeks ago

    A push bike

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  • [+] 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)
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  • [–] 5 points 3 weeks ago

    Modern/doesn't spy on you

    Pick ONE

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  • [–] 4 points 3 weeks ago

    It’s almost impossible for recently produced vehicles, but getting a base model of the cheapest vehicle of the least snooping brand in Mozilla’s list would probably be your best option.

    Also, asusuming they will honor them, some of those brands have a Do Not Sell My Information option. You’ll have to find it buried in their website and it takes a while to process.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 weeks ago

    Some cars label the telemetry/infotainment system in the fuse box. You can pull that fuse, but you won't have a radio.

    Alternatively, you can replace the OEM infotainment system with an aftermarket one. Just make sure the car is old enough that you aren't losing important functionality by doing this (2018ish or older)

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  • [–] 3 points 3 weeks ago* (1 child)

    Alternatively what cars wouldn’t freak out if you were to disable the cell module/antenna in it? It’s my understanding that most use it for the app on your phone and things like traffic but that it’s not required. I think some Teslas will freak out but most other brands just fall back to disabling those remote features.

    It’s still possible they can record information internally, but there most likely is a storage limit, and without a means to connect, it won’t go anywhere.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 weeks ago

    I have a Nissan Leaf, and its old enough that it has 3G internet connectivity. It cannot connect anymore. It gives me a screen on the radio that says "features may be limited" when I start it up, but other than that it is fine.

    Alternatively, go find a Mitsubishi Mirage made before 2020.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 weeks ago

    An ABC article from a couple of years ago found the best brands were Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, and Isuzu. But that's specific to the Australian market and a few years old now, so may not apply to your situation.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 weeks ago

    You're going to be very hard pressed to find any new vehicle that doesn't track you. I'm not entirely sure such a thing exists anymore.
    Realistically you're going to have to look for a vehicle from at least 10 years ago. That or remove the telemetry components from whatever vehicle you purchase next.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 weeks ago

    You'll pretty much have to build it yourself or modify it... Or don't buy a modern car...

    Maybe some small volume manufacturers like Aptera Motors (pending them actually building a car you can buy, they're just the first one that came to mind 😅) wouldn't have the resources to collect data like the bigger manufacturers do (But not sure) ?

    Or possibly could buy a replacement telemetry module from a region where the cellular network is on a different spectrum so it cant connect, but still works just enough to let the car function 🤔

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  • [–] 1 point 3 weeks ago

    If you need a new vehicle, try some of the cheaper fleet type vehicles. The kind of vehicle that a company might buy 20 or 200 of.

    These are often available without "luxuries" like automatic windows and navigation systems. It's possible to get a vehicle with no telemetry or with basic bluetooth only.

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  • Maybe you'll luck out with the slate whenever it launches.

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