What happens if you unplug telematics/modem on a 2019 with 802A?

[traxem]

Lots of things...like sell data about your movements and habits to advertisers; or hand it over to law enforcement. Or, lots of other things. For example, let’s say you are tuned and you are encountering some issues along the way, like throwing codes, clearing codes, flashing, clearing KAM, etc. If all of these events are being passed through the cellular modem (e.g., to generate messages in your Ford Pass app), then your chances of getting your warranty voided (regardless of whether it is actually justified) just increased substantially.

I enjoy the tech and have all this crap enabled, but I’m under no illusions about the privacy I am giving up in the process.

I see your point. I guess there’s a quid pro quo with all of the data and remote features. For example, if your truck is ever stolen or towed, you’d have the ability to track it and recover it before it gets chopped up. On the other hand, if you were involved in criminal enterprise, the police could use the data build a case against you.

You can actually call Ford and ask them to terminate the link to your truck for privacy reasons. If it later turns up that the link was still active, you’d have a good legal case.

 

[CigarPundit]

That's what I was thinking, possible warranty issues. I would think they would be able to get a log of thrown codes manually when you bring it in though, and would be able to tell if you used a tune without relying on the modem. I would have a conversation with the service mgr at the dealership about that before buying to get that question answered.

I’m certainly not an expert in this, but my understanding is that Ford only logs a key count. If you flash back to stock and disconnect your battery before bringing it in (“I was working on my lights”), I’m not sure they would see the codes you cleared.

 

[No Clue]

If you're gonna disconnect that then you may as well disconnect the XM too.

 

[MEATSWORD]

The truck shouldn't have access to customer/personal information on your laptop unless you connect to the modem.
Are you using a wireless carrier for off site communications now?

 

[pbtjrlmrt]

Lots of things...like sell data about your movements and habits to advertisers; or hand it over to law enforcement. Or, lots of other things. For example, let’s say you are tuned and you are encountering some issues along the way, like throwing codes, clearing codes, flashing, clearing KAM, etc. If all of these events are being passed through the cellular modem (e.g., to generate messages in your Ford Pass app), then your chances of getting your warranty voided (regardless of whether it is actually justified) just increased substantially.

I enjoy the tech and have all this crap enabled, but I’m under no illusions about the privacy I am giving up in the process.

If you think you aren't already "in the system" so to speak then you haven't been paying attention...LOL I too am in the software industry and totally understand the point your trying to make but really...the only person you're fooling is yourself. If you are trying to hide from Ford the fact that you've modified the tune on your truck then I get it because you're right that they will know that. All the other concerns are overblown...IMO and not worth the effort and impact of removing a cool capability.

 

[Cribz]

 

[SilverBolt]

What can Ford do with all the data it collects? I mean, other than nailing you for odometer rollback, I don’t see any harm.

Ford does share data with insurance companies. Likely anyone willing to pay for it.

 

[goblues38]

I too am in the "software" business. I came to the conclusion long ago, nothing is private and everything is for sale. With the exception of deleting failbook, I just ignore it. Part of my enjoyment in life is knowing real time traffic updates are pretty close to accurate. the only way that works is if every cell is always sending location data.

I just hope I never do something so wrong in life where that stuff could every be used against me, and only used to help me.

Take your tin foil hat off and embrace it.

 

[Droid]

I wish I could ignore it all...the data collection is frustrating, but super bothered by the security designs of most stuff, and the fact that almost all security is not maintained for more than a couple years. By then the software developers have moved on to working on new models. Kept my OG Raptor for 9 years and wouldn't mind doing same with new one.

Did buy a 2019 this weekend to replace the 2011 (LOVE IT!)

Not sure how difficult it is to actually access the telematics unit (looks like removing back wall panel and/or the left half of seat might be necessary).

Looked in the book and fuse 10 (interior pass side kick panel) is for the modem. It's a "Micro3" fuse which is shared with another accessory, so you have to replace it with a "Micro2" fuse to keep its "conjoined" accessory powered.

Think the XM is entirely independent, seems to still be working just fine. XM normally is downlink only (or at least it used to be the last time I ran it during 2011 trial).

With Fuse #10 pulled everything seems to be a-ok and to have the desired behavior. No weirdness yet. "About" screens just show blank for IMEI data. Attempting to configure FordPass just informs me that feature is unavailable.

Don't want to scare people who enjoy all the FordPass stuff., Maybe (hopefully) Ford got it right and has a team permanently dedicated to maintaining Sync3 security for the next decade. And even if that's not the case, you're very very very likely not going to have a problem for a long time until Sync 3 gets way out of date, at which point...fuse #10.

 

[TurboTJ]

I wish I could ignore it all...the data collection is frustrating, but super bothered by the security designs of most stuff, and the fact that almost all security is not maintained for more than a couple years. By then the software developers have moved on to working on new models. Kept my OG Raptor for 9 years and wouldn't mind doing same with new one.

Did buy a 2019 this weekend to replace the 2011 (LOVE IT!)

Not sure how difficult it is to actually access the telematics unit (looks like removing back wall panel and/or the left half of seat might be necessary).

Looked in the book and fuse 10 (interior pass side kick panel) is for the modem. It's a "Micro3" fuse which is shared with another accessory, so you have to replace it with a "Micro2" fuse to keep its "conjoined" accessory powered.

Think the XM is entirely independent, seems to still be working just fine. XM normally is downlink only (or at least it used to be the last time I ran it during 2011 trial).

With Fuse #10 pulled everything seems to be a-ok and to have the desired behavior. No weirdness yet. "About" screens just show blank for IMEI data. Attempting to configure FordPass just informs me that feature is unavailable.

Don't want to scare people who enjoy all the FordPass stuff., Maybe (hopefully) Ford got it right and has a team permanently dedicated to maintaining Sync3 security for the next decade. And even if that's not the case, you're very very very likely not going to have a problem for a long time until Sync 3 gets way out of date, at which point...fuse #10.

Sorry for reviving an old thread but any long term update on this @Droid? Did you replace the fuse with a different type or did you just remove it entirely?

I get people saying that they are ok with the reduction in privacy for the increase in features but I am amazed by the other two types of people: 1) I have nothing to hide and 2) They already have SOME of my data so why not give them ALL of my data.

For #1, I would like to see if they hand over their email account with password and for #2, go work in a tech industry, watch black hat talks or even TED talks in some cases.