[checkyoursudo]

I have a really hard time understanding why we as a society (or various societies) are okay these kinds of things.

Sure, I understand that there is little I can do about it, but why are powerful people okay with their car company or phone company knowing everything about them?

Are people in California and the EU at least covered by data privacy laws?

[theoreticalmal]

There are clear financial reasons for governments and vehicle manufacturers to want this to happen.

From the consumer standpoint, what’s the alternative? Every new vehicle has one of these devices (recently mandated in USA by 20XX). If you want to buy a new vehicle, there’s no option but to have a telematics device installed. If you think you’re competent enough to rip the component out yourself, hopefully it’s not integral to the functioning of the vehicle. If it isn’t, your warranty will be void if you do

[checkyoursudo]

What are the financial reasons for governments to want mass surveillance? I can understand some other reasons, which I think are illegitimate, but I cannot think of a financial reason.

At any rate, governments are all made of people who are also tracked at all times. Just because some parts of government would like mass surveillance, why would legislators who can do something about it be okay with having their car be constantly monitored by private parties or the police or anyone?

Why would legislators, donors, and lobbyists be okay with their own location data (and in some extreme cases like with Nissan their "sexual behaviors" etc) being sold to data brokers, for example?

[unethical_ban]

Is this true though? Can't you insist that the dealer or manufacturer disabled telemetry? I've wondered about if there are guides for disabling telemetry at a circuit level on various models.

[grecy]

We’re not ok with it, but this is where unlimited lobbying has gotten us.

The rich and powerful companies literally make the laws they want.

[f1shy]

I am by no means ok with it. And I try to vote with my money when I buy.

[checkyoursudo]

I try, too. It is less and less possible every day.

[rad_gruchalski]

> Independence limited, Freedom of choice is made for you, my friend.

There will be no products without those “features”.

[anal_reactor]

> I have a really hard time understanding why we as a society (or various societies) are okay these kinds of things.

Because using mass surveillance you can provide better service. That's a fact you can't argue with.