[rachet]

When I had a vehicle with OnStar, I located where its antennae connected to the controller and disconnected it. The vehicle was fine, nothing else was impacted. It just couldn't communicate with anything anymore.

I originally removed the power, but then most of the "smarter" electronics stopped working.

[catchnear4321]

A hardware toggle provided by the manufacturer would be a lot more respectful of the customer. That sort of respect would even get some subscriptions out of it. But that probably goes against the long term strategy for most places - that connection is for more, later.

How hard was it to disconnect, out of curiosity. Not asking for anything identifying, just wondering if it required removing panels or was just a matter of reaching an arm in the right spot.

Nice to know it can be done without anything too drastic.

[linster]

"I've cut the antennas out of hardware that is part of a subscription software package I'm still paying for"

[neogodless]

On Star is both equipment and a subscription to use it. They mean the vehicle was equipped... with the equipment. Not that they were paying for the subscription. The "mandatory" subscription is a new announcement, and does not apply to previously purchased vehicles.

[kube-system]

Onstar remains connected (but paywalled) even when you don’t pay.

[hombre_fatal]

Why not write a reply with your voice instead of just trying to rephrase what they said?

[mynameisvlad]

They're not.

They're quite obviously pointing out that cutting the antenna does nothing about the fact that the subscription is still bundled and active.

[hombre_fatal]

As the other two comments point out, you can have the equipment without the software activated. So their guess/"quote" makes an incorrect assumption.

So, what value does it add? It seems to simply exist to make an assumption that makes the other HNer look bad.

[mynameisvlad]

This thread is about GM forcibly bundling OnStar into a bunch of their cars. Removing the antenna does nothing to prevent that.

Whether you activate the subscription or not, you're still paying $1500 for it.

[hombre_fatal]

Their story doesn't really apply here. Fair enough.

My issue is more with 4chan greentext being a low form of communication.

Almost anything is better than it, like "Well, you'd still be paying the subscription." Even direct snark feels higher level than greentext-style rephrasing.

[LeifCarrotson]

The problem is that you can disconnect the antenna, but you'll still be billed $1500 for the subscription, regardless of whether you use it or not.