How To: Opt Out of Jeep Data Harvesting and sharing.

[Sweetums]

If the App on the phone is free, they are making money somewhere else. Either data mining, advertisements, or a combination. I get monthly and yearly recaps of my travels from Google, and constant requests for reviews of places I have visited, or even just parked near.

The modern Smart Phone is a mobile data collection device. Google and the cellular carrier collect a lot of data, along with many of the Apps on the phone. Many phones now have unlimited cellular data connections and can provide real-time access for the data collected. It is much more intrusive than any of the cellular connected head units available in modern vehicles.

"Thing A is Bad, but Thing B is also Bad, therefore Thing A is alright."

The difference between your phone and your vehicle is the cost and the kind of data being collected. Yes, your phone collects a bunch of information on you, but that information does not include: Hard accelerations, hard braking, activation of ABS, activation of traction control, throttle position, turn signal use, seatbelt use, and it's not being sold to insurance companies that use the information to set rates. Also, this isn't a forum about phones.

These are facts not in dispute, if you are fine with it - good for you, you don't have to comment. For the rest of us, it might be nice to have the information to opt-out of this data collection. I'm providing information about what our vehicles are doing on a forum for enthusiasts and owners, so far all I've heard from you is complaining on an enthusiast owner's forum because other people are talking about their vehicles and you don't like what's being said.

Just unwatch the thread and ignore it if you don't have anything to contribute. If you don't like me for some personal reason, click on my username. There's a little button there that says "Ignore" and you won't be bothered by anything I post again.

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[ShastaJT6]

@Sweetums - Thanks for posting this and trying to help educate the folks on their options and the potential consequences of the data harvesting.

I find myself deeply upset by the way that people around me handle their data, privacy, and technology in general. So many people I know dont understand app permissions on their phones, they dont disable notifications and they jump whenever their phone dings like good little puppets, etc etc.

It is true that smartphones collect and harvest data in many ways, and although we can opt out and turn things off etc, its fair to assume that a lot of data is still being gathered in one way or another - we must be vigilant, educate ourselves, and minimize this wherever possible. Its a battle of few against many, but that doesnt mean we simply dont even try.

Its the modern version of people mocking you and calling you a tinfoil-hatter for saying that the govt is listening to our phones, then being all handwavey and dismissive when the NSA admits they totally are. It reminds me of the "I have nothing to hide" response to the Patriot act. This type of compliance and disregard is why the creep of intrusive data harvesting is so successful - we allow it.

We can, and should, do better. Just because we cant wrap our entire life in a faraday cage, doesnt mean we shouldnt do anything or even try.

Also, this whole thing is a good justification for purchasing an aftermarket head unit if anyone is on the fence ?

 

[beaker]

If you wish to disable the data collection from the telematics, take a look here. There's a phone number to call.

https://www.driveuconnect.com/connectedservices/privacy.html

 

[Undergrad-Peso]

I started a thread about this when I read the news about GM and other manufacturers selling data to insurance companies. I don't know and don't care whether or not Stellantis is actively taking part in that practice. If they can, and evidently at least one other company has tried, I suspect they will. Maybe they won't. I'm not sure. Whatever they choose, I'd rather they have as little data as possible regardless of what they collect or choose.

Honestly, for those that don't care, I respect that. It's your data and your prerogative.

Just like it's mine and other's prerogative to be unhappy with these practices. If there's something we can do about it then I think it's only fair and healthy that we discuss our options.

I chose to opt out anywhere I could. Also, I disabled the 4G cell module on my Gladiator. It's a 2020 model, so the 4G module is a separate board within the radio head unit (connected by one ribbon cable and I think 2 antenna). I hear in newer models it's part of the head unit and can't just be unplugged. Haven't confirmed.

I don't recommend people do what I did. I've lost GPS and SiriusXM and the SOS call features. I've taken steps to replace those features with other solutions that aren't part of my car. Still, I'd like others to know it is an option.

EDIT: It's an easily reversible option. I'm happy with the change that I did, but it's a sacrifice I was willing to make

 

[Desert_Gladiator]

"Thing A is Bad, but Thing B is also Bad, therefore Thing A is alright."

The difference between your phone and your vehicle is the cost and the kind of data being collected. Yes, your phone collects a bunch of information on you, but that information does not include: Hard accelerations, hard braking, activation of ABS, activation of traction control, throttle position, turn signal use, seatbelt use, and it's not being sold to insurance companies that use the information to set rates. Also, this isn't a forum about phones.

These are facts not in dispute, if you are fine with it - good for you, you don't have to comment. For the rest of us, it might be nice to have the information to opt-out of this data collection. I'm providing information about what our vehicles are doing on a forum for enthusiasts and owners, so far all I've heard from you is complaining on an enthusiast owner's forum because other people are talking about their vehicles and you don't like what's being said.

Just unwatch the thread and ignore it if you don't have anything to contribute. If you don't like me for some personal reason, click on my username. There's a little button there that says "Ignore" and you won't be bothered by anything I post again.

Agreed on all, and furthermore, some of the assumptions made by the corporate bootlickers in this thread fail to understand that for some of us, we *also* avoid data collection where possible in other modes of modern life. I run linux on my computers, and have a de-googled android phone that only runs open-source apps and has no Google Play services. I don't use smart TVs, and I run my own media server - no company knows what I watch or when, or how. I don't use cloud services, instead using my own server to share/synchronize files. I use a paid email provider that doesn't read the contents of my emails. I text using end-to-end encryption. While I had to learn a lot to set all this stuff up, it in many cases works better than the common services most people use, and my data is MINE.

All of this is because I have a problem with how the data is used. These data collection methods are so effective that companies can know their users better than they know themselves. That level of knowledge of people allows companies (or governments or anyone else with access to the data) to manipulate people through a wide variety of methods. Heck the fact that there's so many in these kinds of threads defending these practices like they're normal and nothing to worry about demonstrates that they've likely already been manipulated to think that way.

 

[Minty JL]

This is the money post of the year!

Great work on the OP's behalf

 

[Hootbro]

FWIW, you can make resistive dummy loads for the antenna inputs into the radio to fool it into seeing an antenna hookup without the reception.

I did something similar on my 2017 RAM when I did a 8.4 radio conversion and the LTE connector. I would imagine the other antenna inputs would be similar once the resistive load is known.

 

[RacerAV]

I'm still trying to understand what the big concern is. The only 'personal' information the truck is able to collect is where you go and how much you weigh. None of it is done in real time, it's all after the fact. If you don't want Telematics information transmitted to Jeep, don't buy a truck with a cellular connection. I purposely bought a vehicle I could Remote Start. If sending them Telematics data helps their research improve the product, I'm okay with it since I know they are not getting anything I consider to be private or confidential. If I was really that concerned, I would not pack around a phone with an unlimited internet connection that keeps and reports real-time data on where I go and what I do.

Very true. But just because one neighbor is peeping in your window, doesn't mean you want the rest of the neighbors doing it too lol...

Smart phones are the biggest problem, and yeah, we're basically stuck with them. But if people allow more and more intrusive devices into their lives, we'll eventually lose just about all of our privacy and freedoms. I don't know the answer, but I'd say it's important to NOT have the wool pulled over our eyes and talk to others.

 

[Sweetums]

Very true. But just because one neighbor is peeping in your window, doesn't mean you want the rest of the neighbors doing it too lol...

This is a great analogy.

 

[Desert_Gladiator]

The antenna is most likely one of the two that sits on the top of the roll bar under the back half of the fiberglass top (just behind the freedom panels). I suspect that a wrap of aluminum foil would prevent any signals since part of The threads on the headliner is to avoid using the aluminized sound deadener over that area.

I can confirm that you are correct - the LTE antenna I listed earlier in the thread is located on top of the roll bar, aft of the cabin lights and just left of center. With a hardtop it does sit aft of the freedom panels, and there is not much clearance, so it appears that the top would need to be removed, or at least loosened and lifted a few inches to make space to remove (or otherwise disable) the antenna.

Does anyone already have their roof off or a soft top to try this out and report results?

 

[RubiNewbCB]

I can confirm that you are correct - the LTE antenna I listed earlier in the thread is located on top of the roll bar, aft of the cabin lights and just left of center. With a hardtop it does sit aft of the freedom panels, and there is not much clearance, so it appears that the top would need to be removed, or at least loosened and lifted a few inches to make space to remove (or otherwise disable) the antenna.

Does anyone already have their roof off or a soft top to try this out and report results?

No need to disconnect just wrap it in TINFOIL. it barely works as it is when it's obstructed.

 

[Mr._Bill]

"Thing A is Bad, but Thing B is also Bad, therefore Thing A is alright."

The difference between your phone and your vehicle is the cost and the kind of data being collected. Yes, your phone collects a bunch of information on you, but that information does not include: Hard accelerations, hard braking, activation of ABS, activation of traction control, throttle position, turn signal use, seatbelt use, and it's not being sold to insurance companies that use the information to set rates. Also, this isn't a forum about phones.

These are facts not in dispute, if you are fine with it - good for you, you don't have to comment. For the rest of us, it might be nice to have the information to opt-out of this data collection. I'm providing information about what our vehicles are doing on a forum for enthusiasts and owners, so far all I've heard from you is complaining on an enthusiast owner's forum because other people are talking about their vehicles and you don't like what's being said.

Just unwatch the thread and ignore it if you don't have anything to contribute. If you don't like me for some personal reason, click on my username. There's a little button there that says "Ignore" and you won't be bothered by anything I post again.

I've got nothing against you. It just seems you are wound a little tight regarding this issue. You appear to be overly concerned about what may be happening, not about what you can confirm is actually being done. Just because the vehicle is logging the information, doesn't mean it is all being transmitted. I find it interesting that people buy cellular connected vehicles and then complain about data being transmitted back to the maker.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I hope they DO sell data to insurance companies - my rates should go down nicely.
But again, people jumped on the GM selling info bit and now claim they all do it, but there's no proof or even anything in any documents suggesting they do.

More often than not, the data collected has protected the innocent, like the example I shared of the guy proven not at fault in an accident after his attorney got the info from Chevrolet. It saved him a ton of money.

 

[Sweetums]

Just because the vehicle is logging the information, doesn't mean it is all being transmitted.

Yes, I'm sure the 20 billion euro company that is receiving the information and selling it, complete with earnings reports and explicitly stating in multiple places that they sell information means they are not getting any information to sell. ?

It's one thing to not care about it, that's for each person to decide for themselves. To say it's not happening at all makes you look foolish, we know it's happening - you're arguing a point after stating you won't even look at the evidence. You're starting to cross the line from "denial" to "absurdity".

 

[Jcsii]

ShadowsPapas replies have to be considered suspect. With that handle and previous employment he has to be part of the shadow government directing this program.


Sorry ShadowPapas, it was just too easy to not at least try and add some levity to this thread.

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