Disabling Jeep's ability to communicate, and its implications

[Undergrad-Peso]

I was reading lately about how some manufacturers have "features" that share driving information to a data broker who in turn sells it to insurance companies who in turn use it against individuals. I'm not a fan of this business model. I know that Jeep/FCA/Stellantis were not listed as the companies that do this. I just don't want to wait to find out if they become a company that does or doesn't. Mozilla's Privacy Not Included report on Jeep wasn't able to calm my concerns about their privacy practices. I can't even use the Jeep app to opt out of data sharing willingly because I cannot register the vehicle as my own. My guess is the previous owner already did. I haven't had any issues with this, and I plan on getting it resolved, but I don't want to wait until there are issues. If there will be issues at all. I'd prefer just to isolate the Jeep by disabling its ability to communicate. I don't even want the possibility of it receiving information or worse, sending any. I'm not interested in the remote door lock/unlock, the remote start, and all that other stuff from my phone - the fob can do it, and I don't see my habits benefiting from letting my phone do it, too.I don't want to select an option (opt out of sharing data, for example) and hope a major corporation acts on good will and respects my privacy and data (yeah, right). So, I'm thinking about disabling the Jeep's ability to communicate. I'd prefer none to be sent at all in the first place.

That's why I wanted to start a thread to discuss this topic, specifically on how to accomplish this (my guess is disabling the antenna(s) it uses) and what the implications are of doing this. I'm not looking to just saw something off or snip a wire, I'd really like to understand and know what I'm doing before doing it and I hope it can be reversed.

What I want is for the Jeep to be incapable of sending data, and I'm willing to lose its ability to receive data, if that's what it takes. I hope the Jeep can still be driven without a connection, and if it can't, I'm going to seriously consider moving on to another. I'm sure I'd lose certain features, probably GPS navigation on the Uconnect dash (which isn't even accurate for me, anyways) and the SOS features. I plan on addressing SOS capability with a purpose-built device like the ones sold by Garmin whenever I'm ready to go into out-of-the-way enough trips that it'd be worthwhile. I don't even really care about radio if that is lost in the process, and especially not SiriusXM which I've never liked and who will not stop sending me letters in the mail.

Threads I've seen regarding this topic have come across as dismissive. I can't get rid of my cell phone, as much as I'd like, but that doesn't mean I want to include other devices sharing my information -- and especially not my damn car! I am hoping to learn a lot about this topic from the wizards of this forum who might know how to accomplish what I'm looking for, who can inform me on what the trade-offs are, and who might be able to present alternatives

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[jav_eee]

I just heard a podcast that basically said your driving habits are being sent to a data broker and in some cases it has led to higher insurance rates. Sometimes doubling the cost.

I used to think that people like you were going off the tin foil hat deep end but after hearing that podcast my opinion has changed.

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

I haven't reached the level of tin-foil hats yet, and I really hope to avoid it. I know some data will always be given up. I can't detach myself from my phone and computers. But unlike those, I can modify my car and that's why I posted the question. If I can do something about it then I'd like to try. And before trying, I'd like to learn about it from others - hence this post.

I don't think it's conspiracy-level stuff anymore. I didn't care about it until the NYT article(https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html) You can even request the data from the brokers: one is LexisNexis and the other is Verisk. It's not conspiracy, it's not hidden or clandestine, it's just plain as day and companies are hiding behind the "well, you agreed to send us this data by using the car in the first place." Fine - maybe I'll just disable the car's ability to send data at all.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

As far as I understand it, the only version that is able to transmit data is the uConnect 8.4" version. You know that one that comes standard on ALL versions beginning this year. 7" radios and smaller don't have that ability.
That however doesn't stop the dealership from downloading it during a service call? We have any service techs that can confirm or deny?
I really need to make friends with a dealership guy...

 

[Scott L]

I was reading lately about how some manufacturers have "features" that share driving information to a data broker who in turn sells it to insurance companies who in turn use it against individuals. I'm not a fan of this business model. I know that Jeep/FCA/Stellantis were not listed as the companies that do this. I just don't want to wait to find out if they become a company that does or doesn't. Mozilla's Privacy Not Included report on Jeep wasn't able to calm my concerns about their privacy practices. I can't even use the Jeep app to opt out of data sharing willingly because I cannot register the vehicle as my own. My guess is the previous owner already did. I haven't had any issues with this, and I plan on getting it resolved, but I don't want to wait until there are issues. If there will be issues at all. I'd prefer just to isolate the Jeep by disabling its ability to communicate. I don't even want the possibility of it receiving information or worse, sending any. I'm not interested in the remote door lock/unlock, the remote start, and all that other stuff from my phone - the fob can do it, and I don't see my habits benefiting from letting my phone do it, too.I don't want to select an option (opt out of sharing data, for example) and hope a major corporation acts on good will and respects my privacy and data (yeah, right). So, I'm thinking about disabling the Jeep's ability to communicate. I'd prefer none to be sent at all in the first place.

That's why I wanted to start a thread to discuss this topic, specifically on how to accomplish this (my guess is disabling the antenna(s) it uses) and what the implications are of doing this. I'm not looking to just saw something off or snip a wire, I'd really like to understand and know what I'm doing before doing it and I hope it can be reversed.

What I want is for the Jeep to be incapable of sending data, and I'm willing to lose its ability to receive data, if that's what it takes. I hope the Jeep can still be driven without a connection, and if it can't, I'm going to seriously consider moving on to another. I'm sure I'd lose certain features, probably GPS navigation on the Uconnect dash (which isn't even accurate for me, anyways) and the SOS features. I plan on addressing SOS capability with a purpose-built device like the ones sold by Garmin whenever I'm ready to go into out-of-the-way enough trips that it'd be worthwhile. I don't even really care about radio if that is lost in the process, and especially not SiriusXM which I've never liked and who will not stop sending me letters in the mail.

Threads I've seen regarding this topic have come across as dismissive. I can't get rid of my cell phone, as much as I'd like, but that doesn't mean I want to include other devices sharing my information -- and especially not my damn car! I am hoping to learn a lot about this topic from the wizards of this forum who might know how to accomplish what I'm looking for, who can inform me on what the trade-offs are, and who might be able to present alternatives

Get ready for the onslaught of unhelpful posts. But TBH this has been asked a few times and always turns into all sorts of different directions. Agree with you it’s creepy the info they gather.

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

Get ready for the onslaught of unhelpful posts. But TBH this has been asked a few times and always turns into all sorts of different directions. Agree with you it’s creepy the info they gather.

I did check for previous threads but thought the answers were dismissive at best. They were from around 2021, though, if memory serves. I thought the recent articles discussing the topic, and the allegations insurance rates are climbing therefore, were enough reason to bring the topic back up.

And to be clear, I don't want this to be conspiracy-level talk. I'm asking how to disable the Jeep's ability to communicate altogether, and I'm providing my reasons for it. Others might think that's extreme, and I get that, but I really don't need a car to be able to talk to anybody at this time. If I need that I'll invest in solutions for that at such a time as when it's necessary and not before

EDIT:* The allegations are that some individuals have seen a rate increase because of the data provided by the data brokers mentioned in the OP. I didn't mean that insurance rates across the board are rising because of the data

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

As far as I understand it, the only version that is able to transmit data is the uConnect 8.4" version. You know that one that comes standard on ALL versions beginning this year. 7" radios and smaller don't have that ability.
That however doesn't stop the dealership from downloading it during a service call? We have any service techs that can confirm or deny?
I really need to make friends with a dealership guy...

I just checked and I do have the 8.4" Uconnect, so it's still something I'd like to address. I doubt I'll be the only one with this concern, so hopefully the topic picks up positive traction

 

[PuddleJumper]

you can unplug your sat and 4g motems behind you head on the top of the roll bar.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

I stopped using my jeep app after the last update, because it prompted me to accept data mining of my vehicle. The pop up window wont go away until you hit Accept, rendering the whole app useless.

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

you can unplug your sat and 4g motems behind you head on the top of the roll bar.

I started looking through the repair information that was made available here yesterday. It sounds like what you're saying coincides with the LTE1 antenna. It looks like there's also another one. I'm curious as to what stops working once/if these are disconnected.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I started looking through the repair information that was made available here yesterday. It sounds like what you're saying coincides with the LTE1 antenna. It looks like there's also another one. I'm curious as to what stops working once/if these are disconnected.

I pay for wifi in my truck. I also pay for SXM. If you unplug the sat, you just get a head unit warning stating SXM and other travel features are now unavailible. If u unplug the LTE 1 antenna it throws a code on the dash and says again certain features are no longer available. The LTE 2 antenna as far as I can tell cannot function without the LTE 1 working as well. Side note you will lose offroad pages unless you get a Tazer to bypass. I leave my shit plugged in but i unplugged em installing my overhead MOLLE panel cus i was curious if the truck would go into limp mode if either of those items failed.

edit: it doesn't, yet

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

I pay for wifi in my truck. I also pay for SXM. If you unplug the sat, you just get a head unit warning stating SXM and other travel features are now unavailible. If u unplug the LTE 1 antenna it throws a code on the dash and says again certain features are no longer available. The LTE 2 antenna as far as I can tell cannot function without the LTE 1 working as well. Side note you will lose offroad pages unless you get a Tazer to bypass. I leave my shit plugged in but i unplugged em installing my overhead MOLLE panel cus i was curious if the truck would go into limp mode if either of those items failed.

edit: it doesn't, yet

I hope yet becomes never. The thought of going into limp mode over connectivity is ridiculous, especially in a Jeep of all vehicles.

It would be a shame to lose off-road pages -- I literally just sold my Tazer within the last month! lol

Unfortunate timing aside, thanks for the heads up. I'll probably look into LTE1 and LTE2, then see what the car does once they're gone.

 

[Lunentucker]

 

[Lunentucker]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...gainst-privacy-in-data-collection-case.75536/

 

[HooliganActual]

I hope yet becomes never. The thought of going into limp mode over connectivity is ridiculous, especially in a Jeep of all vehicles.

It would be a shame to lose off-road pages -- I literally just sold my Tazer within the last month! lol

Unfortunate timing aside, thanks for the heads up. I'll probably look into LTE1 and LTE2, then see what the car does once they're gone.

The way these systems are anymore, they are usually smart enough to know when things are unplugged. I wonder if wrapping the units in a few layers of foil to mimic a Faraday cage would disable their ability to communicate but not throw codes. I mean go through a long tunnel and there is no signal, yet we don't hear about these vehicles going into limp mode when going through tunnels...

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