this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2024
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[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago

"but I don't need privacy, I don't have anything to hide!"

[–] [email protected] 28 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Secretly? Doubt it. Some are even loudly proud of doing it in the name of "saving you money". Long as its out in the open, ok. Do they tap into google drive and waze data though?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 months ago (2 children)

No they have been tapping into data directly from people's cars and that's even worse and more unexpected

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

They cannot tap into car data if the car doesn't record data. People must know that they get in cars that are capable of doing that.

I doubt my 2015, Skoda can record any data as it barely has electric windows. Surely if it doesn't have Onstar or whatever it's called now, it cannot be recording data. Perhaps people were unaware that their data was going to be available to these companies but they did know at some level that the data could be recorded. It's like buying a house with security cameras and then never wondering where the security cameras lead.

People have a blind spot for cars though, since it isn't connected to any wires, they feel as if it can't possibly be network connected, but of course it can.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

My 2016 Ford did record data on hard stops and high-g turns and sent a report to my phone to help improve driving efficiency. It was an opt in feature and promoted as a way to increase range since it was a hybrid. However all that stopped when the 3g network was shut down and ford decided they wanted to charge 2k for a 4g upgrade

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Yeah that might apply to all the newer connected vehicles, but mine is still just mine without any kind of wireless systems in it. Only way insurance could track my habits is with waze or google drive on my phone

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

There are dealerships that install aftermarket devices in their cars.

There are tutorials on YouTube: How to start your car if it has been remotely turned off by the dealership.

It ranges between disconnecting the battery and starting the car before the device from the dealership has connected to how to find it under your dash.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Yeah i figured as much but my vehicle is 17 years old and not really worth the hassle

[–] [email protected] 56 points 5 months ago (5 children)

Our insurance company offered a rate reduction if we installed a device on the cars to monitor how we drove. It we met whatever metric they set we’d get a discount for “safe driving”.

Hell no. I’m paying full price to not have them looking over my shoulder while driving.

Because you know that the data will be sold, or even used to classify your risk as a driver and potentially raise your rates. There’s nothing altruistic about these companies.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago

I tried it once. Installed the app on my phone. The error rate in the data they collected was ridiculously high. Get a phone call while driving? Welp, now it says you were on the phone for 45 seconds. Playing music through the stereo? No, you were clearly using your phone the entire time. Phone slides around on the console? You clearly must have mashed the brakes.

I decided that the best way for them to determine I was a safe driver was the fact that I haven't had an accident claim in years.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

"wait, you said you'd protect me. i got into a fight right in front of you and you didn't help at all!"

"oh but i did, boss. i was going to join in and kick your ass as well but decided to protect you from my ass kicking and stood still instead"

[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago (2 children)

It's a scam, anyway. I did it once with Progressive when I got my first car. Had good ratings, was promised a solid discount. Next bill comes and it's the same amount as the previous bill. I call them and they say that the rate went up but with the discount it conveniently went back to the old rate.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

That’s some bullshit.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I've had the same experience with a different insurance provider. In a different country.

They're all the same.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

To anyone who doesn't believe you and thinks they might actually he able to get better rates through an app like that...

You know how health insurance companies charge hefty premiums with ridiculously high copays, but you figure "If I really need something covered, though, they'll pay it and I won't go bankrupt", but yet they still find a way to have so few scruples that they'll fight you on the services you have them billed for because they are a corporation beholden to shareholders and will do everything in their power to hang onto every single dollar possible?

Your car insurance is provided by a corporation.

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