Interconnectedness and sensors dont have to be privacy nightmares, they just do that intentionally.

Insurance companies could decide to charge you less because you’re such a good driver.

It makes you a better driver like gps makes you a better map reader.

Until somebody does a teardown of a regular off the lot model, there's no way to be sure.

Sadly it won't happen. It'll be government mandated so every car needs it, like screens.

So if you want a new car in the US, get one from mexico or maybe Europe. Mexico was making the vw beetle up until like 2004?

Old cars are going to shoot up in value even more now.

not to be a jerk just honestly the first time i have seen trusty and fiat in the same sentence

Yeah same for my old cars, but there are only so many functional old cars out there. Really this is ultimately just one more signal that we need alternatives to car normativity.

you're carrying a phone.

Well, I mean, they know what we own because of the spying. But ymmv

Depends entirely on the car. On some vehicles the modem is incorporated into an electronics module that other parts of the vehicle rely on. Sabataging it may cause other things not to work or cause other problems. On some vehicles it's fairly simple to do. Additionally accessing it may be a problem. not everyone is going to remove their dash or center console and on top of that doing so could potentially void your warranty for certain costly repairs.

it's better to just buy older vehicles that can't phone home anymore.

You could also build a kit car I guess, if you're so inclined (I know most people aren't), or buy a fleet vehicle. On a lot of fleet vehicles the modems aren't hooked up depending on the contract.

I do wonder if it's possible to order a vehicle without the modem. But then you wouldn't be able to just walk into a show room and drive away with a new car.

Most systems will allow for updates via USB, and this guy ripped out his Toyota's modem and gps.