A massive data leak involving over 800,000 Volkswagen EVs has left sensitive user information unprotected on the internet.

If emphasis wasn’t already concentrated on the security of these connected vehicles, major oversight obviously…

  • EinarEnglish
    8•4 days ago

    What happens if I disable the Internet connection of my car?

    • @atrielienzEnglish
      5•4 days ago

      Depends on the car and whether or not you can even get to that modem connection without tearing apart the interior. The main problem is if it’s linked to the main computer (ECU), or similar. If it is, your vehicle may be undrivable. It’s better to talk to the company who made your car and have them disable it. You may have to have a lawyer do so. If you’re buying a new car it is certainly possible to disagree to those terms that would activate it. But apparently not possible to have them build the car without it (which I think is bogus as hell). There was a big article about this after an investigation by Mozilla more than a year ago. People on reddit (I know !) were pretty mad about it then and they were looking for solutions. The consensus was that some cars you can get to the modem, some cars you can’t.

      Also, you may not be able to receive necessary software updates (recalls etc) if you do disable it.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•4 days ago

      You are not allowed to drive anymore; your car needs to be able to call emergency response. Is an EU rule.

      Edit: called eCall, compulsory.

      When eCall is activated, it connects to the nearest emergency response centre, using both a telephone and data link. This allows you and the passengers in the vehicle to communicate with the emergency centre operator and at the same time, a minimum set of data is automatically transmitted (your exact location, the time of the accident, your vehicle’s identification number and direction of travel). This allows the emergency services to assess and manage your situation.

      • @[email protected]English
        3•4 days ago

        Your eCall system is only activated if your vehicle is involved in a serious accident. The rest of the time the system remains inactive. This means that when you are simply driving your vehicle, no tracking (registering your car’s position or monitoring your driving) or transmission of data takes place.

        When a call is made through your 112-based eCall system, your personal data is processed according to EU data protection rules. This means that the emergency services only receive the limited data they need to deal with the accident situation, your data is not stored for any longer than necessary, and is removed when no longer required. Read more about EU data protection and privacy rules.

        Important bit emphasised

        • @[email protected]English
          1•4 days ago

          Yes, thanks. My question is more, if the vendor already has to add a sim card and data plan, are they forbidden from using it for other things?

      • @[email protected]English
        2•4 days ago

        That sounds like it should be able to make a mobile call, not connect to the internet, but they probably require the latter.