Mozilla released their studies, and I’m seeing a growing number of posts on the Internet about cars and the privacy nightmare they entail. I remember how this issue wasn’t talked about earlier because “just buy an older car” was still prevalent. I’m so happy that people are taking notice. Thank you to this community and Mozilla for the work they are putting in!

  • Hot Saucerman@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I’m basically in the position that I’m driving a car from 1999, and when it finally dies, I’ll either be resigned to riding the bus or finding another aged used car without all this absolute bullshit in it.

    Maybe it really is time for the Free Open Source Vehicle.

    • edric@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Getting a base model can somewhat help too. My 2020 car only has carplay. No built in navigation or any remote or homing tech (that I know of). It’s the higher trims that get all the fancy tech “features”.

      • Hot Saucerman@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        I mean sort of. What is “base” has also changed.

        Try finding an EV that doesn’t have automatic windows but has old school manual rollup/rolldown windows. You can’t, even though its more environmentally friendly.

        • Limeey@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I’m sorry but roll windows are awful and I’ve personally seen people nearly get in accidents because they’re focused on rolling the window instead of the road.

          I am willing to bet A LOT that the energy consumption of the small window servo is trivial on the ev’s battery and is a worthwhile expenditure so that the already incompetent drivers aren’t engaging in a physical task while driving down the highway.

          • Hot Saucerman@lemmy.ml
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            1 year ago

            I mean, that has a lot more to do with trying to multitask on the freeway than it does the windows. I’ve seen people fiddling with their phones or the touchscreens in their car just as badly.

            That’s an issue of an unwillingness to plan ahead and focus on driving, not the windows themselves.

            I’m definitely not a fan of treating everyone like a baby who needs coddling because some people can’t be fucked to do better. Aww poor babies need power windows so they can drive without distraction!

            Telling me I can’t have manual roll windows because some people are fucking idiots is a joke.

            When someone slams their car into mine on the freeway because they were dicking around with their phone, I’ll make sure to blame the phone for existing.

            • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.ml
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              1 year ago

              If you can’t roll up a window and drive in a straight line on the freeway, then you shouldn’t have a driver’s license.

            • SoylentBlake@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              The extraction and refining of the copper ore needed for the motor, which has brushes (so a finite lifespan) but is also sealed without any way to replace those brushes (not to mention the hassle of getting into the door . I don’t think I’ve ever done it, on dozens and dozens of doors, without breaking clips), so they’re manufactured essentially as a throw away item, the opposite of sustainability.

              Manual windows are easy, take no thought and if the window falls off track, you just get into the door and bend the track back into shape. Anyone can do it. You just got to open it up, roll it up and down a couple times to understand how it works and literally anyone can figure out their fix then. And at a cost of a few door clips, not an EXTREMELY overpriced $100+ for a 12v motor.

              I don’t like buying guaranteed points of failure in my purchases when I don’t have too, that’s all I’m saying.

              • Hot Saucerman@lemmy.ml
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                1 year ago

                So say it to the guy who is arguing that? I’ve had two responses to my post act like I’m arguing for power windows when I’m aruing against them. I don’t understand why I’m getting downvoted while I have two people who have been upvoted who fucking agree with me.

            • Limeey@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              This is a stupid take. You’re telling me that you expect car manufacturers incorporate manufacturing techniques that apply to your small niche that is also demonstrably less safe? And for what, “Privacy” reasons?

    • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Maybe it really is time for the Free Open Source Vehicle.

      Sure, but what it is for certain time for is making this sort of spying and tracking illegal. If I as a private citizen tracked someone this much, it would be considered stalking, which is a criminal offense.

      • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        That community completely ignores reality for millions billions of people that absolutely need a car to live a life in the thousands of cities that don’t have adequate public transportation and 100% of the rural areas in the world.

        • bane_killgrind@lemmy.ml
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          1 year ago

          Multiple billions no. There’s 1.4 billion cars after a casual google, and considering how many people have cars as a convenience or multiple cars I think it might be closer to a single billion people need cars.

    • 0110010001100010@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I miss my old 1999 Grand Marquis. Plenty of power, stupid easy to work on, rode like a dream, no tech bullshit. Fuel mileage was pretty crappy (owing to the V8 and curb weight) but it was a solid car. I largely drive cars until the die (did with that one too) and am thinking forward I may do the same and try to find older vehicles.

      • SoylentBlake@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Man I would loooooove to find an old like 95 Regal. Totally a grandpa car, but all the freaking amenities, better cushioning than your couch, leg room, bench seat half the time, a V8 that can’t dump power and you can hold like 5 half racks under the hood if you needed too (tho pls don’t) there’s so much room.

        Not a knuckle of blood anywhere to be found.

        One thing I love about older cars from Detroit, definitely not the gas mileage but I can keep my spare fluids in the engine compartment lol

    • Apollo2323@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      That’s kinda extreme lol but I hope that companies start selling non smart cars. I don’t want my car to be smart , I want my car to take me to point A and B , and be able to fix it myself.