Lightning soon to be spying on us . . ?

[RocketGhost]

Ah . . .but the potential is still there. (I'm NOT a "Negative person" but I don't want to be caught of guard either . . )

The potential is there whether they get a patent for it or not. Throwing the idea in a patent application means nothing.

Ford spying on people's conversations would be one of the worst business decisions ever. The backlash would be overwhelming. And it might not even be legal. The only way I could see them ever getting away with something like this would be if the user opts-in and it would be based on a user-initiated request. For example, "Hey Sync, what restaurants are nearby?" and an ad for Burger King pops up on the screen. Zero chance they will listen in on private conversations.

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[ktn]

Soon? If this is an update it will take years.

 

[Maxx]

The potential is there whether they get a patent for it or not. Throwing the idea in a patent application means nothing.

Ford spying on people's conversations would be one of the worst business decisions ever. The backlash would be overwhelming. And it might not even be legal. The only way I could see them ever getting away with something like this would be if the user opts-in and it would be based on a user-initiated request. For example, "Hey Sync, what restaurants are nearby?" and an ad for Burger King pops up on the screen. Zero chance they will listen in on private conversations.

It does not have to be intentional to be damaging. Data may be collected for analysis to improve software ability to take commands. Then company's servers could be hacked and those conversations stolen. If a senator or NSA contractor conversation was included in there, you may have a national problem Ford did not intend to have. The right way of doing this is not collecting any information you absolutely don't have to have and when you do, have complete transparency. By that, I mean owner of the data having meaningful access (they can have some understanding of what they are looking at) to all data collected by the manufacturer. Having one sentence in a privacy notice saying we can do whatever we want with your data is not enough.

 

[Danface]

Information is power and if it gets collected, it will be used any way that will make money. I pulled the TCU fuse and turned off WIFI. I just drive it like all the other vehicles I've ever owned. I have to admit adding karaoke was really appealing ... not

 

[Maxx]

This is the AI generated podcast version of Ford Privacy Policy. The original document was too mind-numbing and boring and I am always looking for a shortcut so I created this in case you have nothing better to do.

 

[HI Zeus]

I know this is an old discussion, but it partially addresses one of the biggest drawbacks about a Lightning for me.

PRIVACY... actually lack there of.

I know there are many things that you cannot avoid/reduce/mitigate regarding data collection with the lightning (it is essentially a giant mobile computer connected to the internet 24/7).

I also realize this puts in the same category as our smartphones, PCs, TVs, (dishwashers, coffe makers etc.) BUT for the sake of THIS conversation I'd love to know what CAN be done to minimize the data that is given away on a daily basis?

I'm old enough to remember lots of movies where spies and politicians would go to great lengths to hide, or discover, small microphones and cameras hidden in flowers, behind picture frames etc. Back then everyone felt the idea of someone listening in to and watching you without your knowledge/permission was 100% unacceptable. These days most people are willing to give up all of that privacy so they don't have to lift a finger to call someone, turn on/off a light, or change the channel. Personally I feel my privacy is worth WAAAAAAY more than that!

As was said earlier:

Information is power and if it gets collected, it will be used any way that will make money.

These three quotes really speak to the larger issue of living in the 21st century:

Just NO......... If you have an iPhone, turn off the "Listen for" feature and use the button to activate Siri. This kills the "always listening" features. It kills targeted Facebook ads and others who may pay Apple for listening capababilities.

FORD SHOULD NOT GO THERE. Plain, simple invasion of privacy.

Modern technology. Big Brother just corporate style. I refuse to have Alexa or anything like it. I also don't have any social media accounts except for you fine people on this site.

I also wouldn't trust that you can really turn it off either.

A microphone can always be turned off... by snipping a wire if needs be.

Since I might want the microphone to work at times I've contemplated "snipping a wire" and install a simple switch (analogous to the physical cover over my laptop's camera, I don't have to trust that the software REALLY turned it off).

A few examples of why, "Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean you’re wrong," is unfortunately true here:
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...-hear-confidential-details-on-siri-recordings
https://www.wired.com/story/google-...t people, you,location data from your devices.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/smart-...device-may-be-spying-on-you-today-2019-12-03/

A few specific questions/thoughts I've had:

1) My first idea would be to 100% control my trucks ability to communicate with anyone/anything. What would be the simplest way (hopefully physical) to do this? I'm assuming (with some apprehension) that the truck won't become inoperable if it can't communicate with Ford Co. for extended periods of time???

2) IF my idea above could happen, my next thought would be to control what is sent when I decide to allow it to communicate with the world, because there ain't much point in just postponing the flow of all of my personal data. I have no idea how that would be done, especially at any level of certainty regarding what is ACTUALLY sent.

2) Is there a good after-market charger 9kw+ for home use that is 100% app free? (This is a privacy and loss of power grid concern. If the grid goes down cell towers go down (maybe), I'd like to know that I can charge my lightning from my home solar/battery set up without the need for an app.)

3) Is there a way to block OTA updates (beyond my first idea stated above)? I prefer not to get the "latest and greatest" immediately and avoid the "oops" bugs that frequently accompany them until others who MUST have the "latest and greatest" have discovered the bugs for me and it has been fixed. It REALLY pissed me off when Apple stopped letting me decide to "Update later"! I don't appreciate the new functions and formats that keep happening to my phone without my consent, someone messing with my vehicle in the same way is absolutely NOT ok. Its annoying enough if I'm in a hurry (most of the time), when I get in my car after someone else has been in it and I have to readjust the mirrors, I sure as heck don't want to get in my truck and see a new icon that does... SOMETHING... that I don't have time to learn about at the moment, and may not want to take the time to learn about later.

It seems to me that there are some others on this forum that share my concerns, or at least some of them. I'm SURE there are many folks on here that have WAY more knowledge about the technology, and how to bypass it, than I could ever figure out on my own. I'd love to hear what folks have done, or possible "fixes" that folks are contemplating.

 

[Maquis]

I know this is an old discussion, but it partially addresses one of the biggest drawbacks about a Lightning for me.

PRIVACY... actually lack there of.

I know there are many things that you cannot avoid/reduce/mitigate regarding data collection with the lightning (it is essentially a giant mobile computer connected to the internet 24/7).

I also realize this puts in the same category as our smartphones, PCs, TVs, (dishwashers, coffe makers etc.) BUT for the sake of THIS conversation I'd love to know what CAN be done to minimize the data that is given away on a daily basis?

I'm old enough to remember lots of movies where spies and politicians would go to great lengths to hide, or discover, small microphones and cameras hidden in flowers, behind picture frames etc. Back then everyone felt the idea of someone listening in to and watching you without your knowledge/permission was 100% unacceptable. These days most people are willing to give up all of that privacy so they don't have to lift a finger to call someone, turn on/off a light, or change the channel. Personally I feel my privacy is worth WAAAAAAY more than that!

As was said earlier:





These three quotes really speak to the larger issue of living in the 21st century:







Since I might want the microphone to work at times I've contemplated "snipping a wire" and install a simple switch (analogous to the physical cover over my laptop's camera, I don't have to trust that the software REALLY turned it off).

A few examples of why, "Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean you’re wrong," is unfortunately true here:
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...-hear-confidential-details-on-siri-recordings
https://www.wired.com/story/google-location-tracking-turn-off/#:~:text=A new report shows that,you thought you opted out.&text=If, like most people, you,location data from your devices.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/smart-...device-may-be-spying-on-you-today-2019-12-03/

A few specific questions/thoughts I've had:

1) My first idea would be to 100% control my trucks ability to communicate with anyone/anything. What would be the simplest way (hopefully physical) to do this? I'm assuming (with some apprehension) that the truck won't become inoperable if it can't communicate with Ford Co. for extended periods of time???

2) IF my idea above could happen, my next thought would be to control what is sent when I decide to allow it to communicate with the world, because there ain't much point in just postponing the flow of all of my personal data. I have no idea how that would be done, especially at any level of certainty regarding what is ACTUALLY sent.

2) Is there a good after-market charger 9kw+ for home use that is 100% app free? (This is a privacy and loss of power grid concern. If the grid goes down cell towers go down (maybe), I'd like to know that I can charge my lightning from my home solar/battery set up without the need for an app.)

3) Is there a way to block OTA updates (beyond my first idea stated above)? I prefer not to get the "latest and greatest" immediately and avoid the "oops" bugs that frequently accompany them until others who MUST have the "latest and greatest" have discovered the bugs for me and it has been fixed. It REALLY pissed me off when Apple stopped letting me decide to "Update later"! I don't appreciate the new functions and formats that keep happening to my phone without my consent, someone messing with my vehicle in the same way is absolutely NOT ok. Its annoying enough if I'm in a hurry (most of the time), when I get in my car after someone else has been in it and I have to readjust the mirrors, I sure as heck don't want to get in my truck and see a new icon that does... SOMETHING... that I don't have time to learn about at the moment, and may not want to take the time to learn about later.

It seems to me that there are some others on this forum that share my concerns, or at least some of them. I'm SURE there are many folks on here that have WAY more knowledge about the technology, and how to bypass it, than I could ever figure out on my own. I'd love to hear what folks have done, or possible "fixes" that folks are contemplating.

You can shut off all connectivity, but a lot of stuff won’t work if you do.

 

[21st Century Truck]

The truck's modem lives behind the vertical felt panel behind the rear right seat back.

With some slight effort, it can be unplugged and, when desired, plugged back in at desired times.

Of course, the smartphones in our pockets are, let's say, far more ummm, "intrusive", eh?

 

[Maquis]

The truck's modem lives behind the vertical felt panel behind the rear right seat back.

With some slight effort, it can be unplugged and, when desired, plugged back in at desired times.

Of course, the smartphones in our pockets are, let's say, far more ummm, "intrusive", eh?

Yep. The data harvested from our phone is probably orders of magnitude greater than our truck. If one is that paranoid, he shouldn’t have any connected devices at all. And don’t forget the foil hat!

 

[Danface]

I know this is an old discussion, but it partially addresses one of the biggest drawbacks about a Lightning for me.

PRIVACY... actually lack there of.

I know there are many things that you cannot avoid/reduce/mitigate regarding data collection with the lightning (it is essentially a giant mobile computer connected to the internet 24/7).

I also realize this puts in the same category as our smartphones, PCs, TVs, (dishwashers, coffe makers etc.) BUT for the sake of THIS conversation I'd love to know what CAN be done to minimize the data that is given away on a daily basis?

I'm old enough to remember lots of movies where spies and politicians would go to great lengths to hide, or discover, small microphones and cameras hidden in flowers, behind picture frames etc. Back then everyone felt the idea of someone listening in to and watching you without your knowledge/permission was 100% unacceptable. These days most people are willing to give up all of that privacy so they don't have to lift a finger to call someone, turn on/off a light, or change the channel. Personally I feel my privacy is worth WAAAAAAY more than that!

As was said earlier:





These three quotes really speak to the larger issue of living in the 21st century:







Since I might want the microphone to work at times I've contemplated "snipping a wire" and install a simple switch (analogous to the physical cover over my laptop's camera, I don't have to trust that the software REALLY turned it off).

A few examples of why, "Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean you’re wrong," is unfortunately true here:
https://www.theguardian.com/technol...-hear-confidential-details-on-siri-recordings
https://www.wired.com/story/google-location-tracking-turn-off/#:~:text=A new report shows that,you thought you opted out.&text=If, like most people, you,location data from your devices.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/smart-...device-may-be-spying-on-you-today-2019-12-03/

A few specific questions/thoughts I've had:

1) My first idea would be to 100% control my trucks ability to communicate with anyone/anything. What would be the simplest way (hopefully physical) to do this? I'm assuming (with some apprehension) that the truck won't become inoperable if it can't communicate with Ford Co. for extended periods of time???

-- In my XLT, there's a 3 section5 amp fuse (fuse 8 & 9) near the passenger seat that controls the TCU and inclination sensor. I replaced with a 2 section 5 amp fuse that enabled the inclination (middle prog to fuse 9) sensor but doesn't power on the TCU (middle prog to fuse 8). This will turn off the SIM card/modem that sends info to Ford.


2) IF my idea above could happen, my next thought would be to control what is sent when I decide to allow it to communicate with the world, because there ain't much point in just postponing the flow of all of my personal data. I have no idea how that would be done, especially at any level of certainty regarding what is ACTUALLY sent.

--Nor I, I just removed the fuse for the TCU and turned off the WIFI and now nothing get sent. They do have some somewhat bogus settting to limit what's sent but I just ingored it and turned the whole mess off.

2) Is there a good after-market charger 9kw+ for home use that is 100% app free? (This is a privacy and loss of power grid concern. If the grid goes down cell towers go down (maybe), I'd like to know that I can charge my lightning from my home solar/battery set up without the need for an app.)

-- I don't know but just don't connect the charger to the internet.

3) Is there a way to block OTA updates (beyond my first idea stated above)? I prefer not to get the "latest and greatest" immediately and avoid the "oops" bugs that frequently accompany them until others who MUST have the "latest and greatest" have discovered the bugs for me and it has been fixed. It REALLY pissed me off when Apple stopped letting me decide to "Update later"! I don't appreciate the new functions and formats that keep happening to my phone without my consent, someone messing with my vehicle in the same way is absolutely NOT ok. Its annoying enough if I'm in a hurry (most of the time), when I get in my car after someone else has been in it and I have to readjust the mirrors, I sure as heck don't want to get in my truck and see a new icon that does... SOMETHING... that I don't have time to learn about at the moment, and may not want to take the time to learn about later.

-- The above (No TCU fuse and No Wifi) will block OTA's.

It seems to me that there are some others on this forum that share my concerns, or at least some of them. I'm SURE there are many folks on here that have WAY more knowledge about the technology, and how to bypass it, than I could ever figure out on my own. I'd love to hear what folks have done, or possible "fixes" that folks are contemplating.

https://www.autogenius.info/ford-f-150-lightning-2022-2024-fuse-and-relay-box-diagram/

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