not sure why it seems that you’re negging me for trying to wring as much life as possible out of a car? This is a very reasonable and feasible approach to take if you’re somewhat mechanically inclined, as I am.
Absolutely not. Sorry if I came across that way, I am actually on your "team" and plan to do the same with my current 7 year old car. I am not super mechanically inclined but I have learned enough for the basic maintenance: brakes, oil changes, general diagnostics.
The reason I was kind of grilling you is because I am looking ahead and thinking I will find myself in your spot. Eventually I will have to replace the car and I have no clue what to get that does not imply: 1) being spied on by the car and 2) paying for hardware that is useless unless I also pay a subscription.
Now back to the original point. Sure today you can pull a fuse and maybe disable the spying; specially since the car would be out of warranty or you don't care to risk losing it. However, if the trends continue, this could be something that renders your car uninsurable and would mean not legal to drive.
On my last insurance renewal, Belair argued heatedly with me because I refused to add their app on my phone to track my "driver behaviour". They insisted it would lead to a discount but I refused anyway. If they make it a mandatory requirement of insurance, we are fucked.
This sort of prove my point that Twitter never was a good place for news anyway.
Perhaps you are right and it is a tool for journalists, but not being one, I am happy if it stops existing tomorrow. I am sure journalists would find a way as they did before Twitter