We are being tracked by our cars

[Craig Brown]

Who said anything about a TCU? It’s the modem. And if you think because you don’t opt in they’re not tracking your data, you’re a fool. Pull a Lexis Nexis report on yourself and see how much info is out there. Insurance companies (and others) subscribe to LN and use that data. Where does that info come from? Your car and any apps associated with it. Don’t be so naive…

You better put on your aluminum foil hat before your tinny brain explodes. And I bet you keep buying all this technology and then you have something to cry about. Grow up or I am going to tell them where you live!

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[MAGS1]

You better put on your aluminum foil hat before your tinny brain explodes. And I bet you keep buying all this technology and then you have something to cry about. Grow up or I am going to tell them where you live!

Stop being an ignorant a$$. I had access to Lexus Nexis for one of my prior jobs, I know exactly what is in those reports and where all that data comes from. Those with access can run a full profile on someone with just their name and pull more information than you probably know about yourself. That’s not tin foil, that’s facts and knowing what I’m talking about from firsthand experience. Anything else your smooth brain can’t comprehend?

 

[Craig Brown]

I think you should go hide under a rock, so you don't infect anyone with the brain rot you currently have. You live in fear and want company. Nobody is listening to you.

 

[MAGS1]

I think you should go hide under a rock, so you don't infect anyone with the brain rot you currently have. You live in fear and want company. Nobody is listening to you.

Awareness and knowledge isn’t fear. I choose to be educated on such things and there are plenty of folks here that choose the same. As a matter fact, there’s a giant thread on this forum about to how disconnect the modem for the very reasons stated: Ford collects that data and sells it to aggregators like Nexis Nexis, who in turn sell it to a wide variety of companies.

Keep your head buried in the sand if you so choose, I prefer having knowledge. I’m done arguing with ignorant folks like yourself, I’m going to go enjoy the day with my family.

 

[John S]

I don't want or need any of the GPS/telematics "benefits" on my manual transmission equipped 2022 Mustang, so I replaced the two-lead Shark Fin antenna with a smaller single-lead puck style antenna. It's a simple ten-minute swap, the hardest part for my old bones was crawling in the back seat to access the fastener and unclip the electrical connector.

 

[Massman]

In the owner's manual for my 2019 Bullitt it says the fuse box is in the passenger's side panel. Below is a portion of the fuse location copied for the manual.

Fuse or Relay Number	Fuse Rating	Protected Component​
1	—	Not used.​
2	7.5A	Power mirror memory module (driver side mirror). Memory seat module.​
3	20A	Driver console unlock.​
4	—	Not used.​
5	20A	Subwoofer amplifier.​
6	—	Not used.​
7	—	Not used.​
8	—	Not used.​
9	—	Not used.​
10	5A	Telematics.​

 

[Vlad Soare]

This is the truth about tracking!

The TCU in a Mustang is only the Transmission Control Unit, and it has nothing to do with tracking or data sharing. It controls shift timing, line pressure, and adaptive learning on automatic cars—period. It has no GPS, no cellular modem, and no ability to transmit anything. The only system that can send telematics data is the FordPass Connect modem, and even that requires the owner to opt in before any information is shared with insurance companies. Manual Mustangs don’t even have a TCU. Whoever said the TCU is a tracking device is confusing it with the telematics modem, which is a completely different component.​

If didn't ask for it to be used, then it is not being used. So, stop all this nonsense!

No, it's not. That quote is wrong. Whoever wrote that was mixing it up with the TCM - the transmission control module.
The TCU is the telematics control unit. See the excerpt from the service manual attached in post #41. It's officially called that. And it's present in all Mustangs from 2020 onwards, both automatic and manual.

 

[Gregs24]

No, it's not. That quote is wrong. Whoever wrote that was mixing it up with the TCM - the transmission control module.
The TCU is the telematics control unit. See the excerpt from the service manual attached in post #41. It's officially called that. And it's present in all Mustangs from 2020 onwards, both automatic and manual.

I think some 2019 cars had it too. Mine didn't but it only missed it by a month or two.

 

[Vlad Soare]

I think some 2019 cars had it too. Mine didn't but it only missed it by a month or two.

True, they started installing it in 2019, though I'm not sure exactly which 2019MY vehicles had it and which not. All I know is, the Bullitt didn't have it, hence the famous scandal.
From 2020 onwards, all Mustangs had it.

 

[RTFM]

I don't want or need any of the GPS/telematics "benefits" on my manual transmission equipped 2022 Mustang, so I replaced the two-lead Shark Fin antenna with a smaller single-lead puck style antenna.

While I do hate the Sharkfin and salute the change you did, it has nothing to do with Telematics. The telematics modem that is hiding in the trunk has its own set of antennas. One goes to the bottom right of the chassis. The other I don’t recall but someone stated it is inactive and was put there for future, whatever that means.

 

[PSI]

I love the whole, “your phone is already tracking you!” crap that gets trotted out every time anyone mentions cars tracking driving habits. I make sure to disable as much of that shit as is feasible on my phone, and if my Stang was a 19 or newer I would be doing the same. Just like I disable all that shit on my TV, or in Windows, or anywhere else that I can.
Just because it is ubiquitous doesn’t mean we have to like it or encourage it.

No one can track me out here, there’s zero cell service or ALPRs, yet. Should I feel bad?

 

[Bob Lob Law]

Turning it "off" doesn't actually turn it off...LOL

 

[Stangnut]

I have been reading more on the topic of car companies using a telematic or Data Communication Module to collect personal date. They then sell our info to insurance companies and data brokers. These boxes are located in numerous locations and in my 2019 Bullitt it's on the drivers side of the trunk behind the liner. Rather then messing with the liner, I'd rather disconnect the fuse that powers it. The owners manual doesn't give any info, so if anyone has any idea I'd really appreciate it.

Hey, OP. You have a 2019 BULLITT so you don't have to worry about it. The module was left out of the 2019 BULLITT.

 

[PSI]

Turning it "off" doesn't actually turn it off...LOL

For some things probably not. But, might as well. I’m certainly not going to make it any easier than I have to for them.
I love that the ads I do see are completely irrelevant to my interests.

 

[Gregs24]

While I do hate the Sharkfin and salute the change you did, it has nothing to do with Telematics. The telematics modem that is hiding in the trunk has its own set of antennas. One goes to the bottom right of the chassis. The other I don’t recall but someone stated it is inactive and was put there for future, whatever that means.

Pretty sure the aerial moved to the sharkfin (it was in the wing pre-sharkfin)

Job 1 cars were in the rear wheel arch area, Job 2 cars were in the sharkfin.

The leads are coaxial, one for the GPS and one for cellular.

So if it had a sharkfin the cellular aerial would have been in it

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