4G Modem Disabling Instructions:

[DrumReaper]

If it hasn’t been said yet, Thanks OP... this is an awesome thread full of great info and knowledge I would’ve never gained anywhere else!

Sponsored

 

[drummerboy]

Hey guys, Tomster called Ford and was told the data is indeed accessed by the insurance companies:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...data-link-to-ford-thread.146863/#post-3006706

 

[Bikeman315]

Hey guys, Tomster called Ford and was told the data is indeed accessed by the insurance companies:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...data-link-to-ford-thread.146863/#post-3006706

The answer Tom was given was correct but incomplete. Yes they do share data, but......as per my post #55, Ford has agreements with some insurance companies to share data if requested and approved by the car owner. They just do not share everyones information with their insurance companies.

Also you could use the 4G modern as a hotspot and not enroll in FordPass. No enrollment, no app, no data sent to Ford. You could also just turn your WiFi off.

And by the way, who actually believes anything Ford says when you call them?

 

[drummerboy]

Ford has agreements with some insurance companies to share data if requested and approved by the car owner. They just do not share everyones information with their insurance companies.

Of course not, data for $, homie.

and geico comes around the corner like

 

[drummerboy]

Also you could use the 4G modern as a hotspot and not enroll in FordPass. No enrollment, no app, no data sent to Ford. You could also just turn your WiFi off.

I don't buy this at all, no way the car only transmits data if you sign up for FordPass.

We could test that out though with an RF meter and a new car on the lot, though, I suppose.

 

[honeybadger]

I don't buy this at all, no way the car only transmits data if you sign up for FordPass.

We could test that out though with an RF meter and a new car on the lot, though, I suppose.

Oh it transmits data, but it’s not tied to an “account.” That makes it super inefficient to share because there’s essentially no useful identity.

sure, somewhere Ford has the data of who bought what vin, etc. and could trace that to you, but I HIGHLY doubt they have a system capable of doing that at scale. Most don’t realize how difficult that type of relational analytics really is at scale, in real-time, etc. The FordPass is the bridge between you and the car data and any third-parties you authorize to interact with it.

FWIW, wife and I have the state farm drive safe and protect tracker thing in our cars and our rates have dropped $200+ a year because of it. I don’t drive like an asshole regularly, but I’ve also been known to “make good time” on occasion. I frequently enjoy the Raptor. I’ll leave it at that.

 

[drummerboy]

Oh it transmits data, but it’s not tied to an “account.” That makes it super inefficient to share because there’s essentially no useful identity.

Hmmm... wouldn't it be much less of a 'personal data' issue to just share the exact VIN rather than someone's name? If the insurance companies just get VINs from Ford instead of names, wouldn't that make their job even easier?

I have the state farm drive safe and protect tracker thing it and our rates have dropped $200+ a year

See, I totally appreciate that, and this topic gets personal quickly. I'm on the flip side of that coin. I'd happily pay the same $200 a year to keep my exact whereabouts at every given moment away from them.

 

[honeybadger]

Hmmm... My thinking is the opposite - I'd bet it's much more efficient and less of a 'personal data' issue to share the exact VIN rather than someone's name. I'm thinking the exact same goals for them are reached whether you signed up or not.

that’s just not how the systems on the back end work. The system that tracks connected vehicle info (location, fuel level, etc.) is tied to a unique vehicle ID in the digital system. The data scheme that this is collected in isn’t compatible with systems like State Farm or Geico. Keep in mind the data scheme for all manufactures is different. And there’s no way an insurer has the resources to build ingestion systems that work for everything.

So instead they all use universal APIs that speak a common language and put the data in a universal “language” that’s labeled correctly. This makes it easy for a third-party entity to consume the data because everyone has universally agreed on its schema.

All this takes multiple complex steps that requires pushing the data through multiple intensive ingestion, preparation, analysis, and back end systems. Somewhere along the lines SOME of this data will be made available to the service that powers stuff like FordPass. This service has all the security, UI/UX, web app code, etc. that makes it safe to share this data at scale and across the internet. So naturally, the backend systems that runA something like FordPass likely runs the same service that shares data with third-parties because it’s cheaper and more efficient to develop and run all those capabilities once instead of multiple times. Not to mention versioning would be a huge bitch. Back on topic, what does this all mean? Your connected car data is tied to your account. That’s what is used to control how the data is used. Your name is tied to your account ID (typically your email) just as is the VIN. If you don’t have a FordPass account, the data is still being sent to ford (assuming to don’t physically disable the comms hardware), but that doesn’t mean they’re doing anything with it. There’s no ID to relate it to.

this all ignores the fact that Ford sharing your data without your consent isn’t really beneficial to them. What do they gain out of it? The benefits pale in comparison to the risk - losing customers from handling their data incorrectly, class action lawsuits, etc. they have massive incentive to make sure your data is protected.

the real risks tied to connected cars today, IMHO, are governments forcing automakers to share data because of “national security,” bad actors hacking the cars due to automakers not being cyber security experts, and users inadvertently enabling external data sharing because they don’t understand what they’re agreeing to.

sorry if this is all confusing - typing on mobile.

 

[16Kobra]

Question for the group:

If I opt out of Ford Pass for my R, but wife stays in it for her EB, what happens?

I think we have separate Ford Pass Accounts. I will have to check that item though

Another question, just this year, we moved the Shelby's (R and 2007 GT500) to Grundy. Her EB and my Excursion are on AAA insurance.

Would Grundy take offense to my tracking? I stated I dont race and dont expect Grundy to cover the track event?

Thoughts?

 

[Bikeman315]

If I opt out of Ford Pass for my R, but wife stays in it for her EB, what happens?

Nothing. If you do no setup a FordPass on the “R” no data is being captured from it. You wife’s car has nothing to do with yours.

Would Grundy take offense to my tracking? I stated I dont race and dont expect Grundy to cover the track event?

Does Grundy has a data sharing agreement with Ford? If they do were asked to opt-in to a tracking agreement? If they didn’t stop worrying. They are not watching you.

 

[16Kobra]

Nothing. If you do no setup a FordPass on the “R” no data is being captured from it. You wife’s car has nothing to do with yours.

Does Grundy has a data sharing agreement with Ford? If they do were asked to opt-in to a tracking agreement? If they didn’t stop worrying. They are not watching you.

R's Ford Pass was set up when purchased.

Have no idea if Grundy data shares. Does anyone know?

 

[Bikeman315]

R's Ford Pass was set up when purchased.

Then turn if off and contact Ford to close the account.

Have no idea if Grundy data shares. Does anyone know?

If they did, they legally have to ask you to opt-in. The purpose of the sharing is for rate discounts for low mileage. Doubt Ford would even bother with Grundy. Way too small.

 

[The Chairman]

I have used Grundy for a while and all they care about is stated value. They don’t cover any driving events. I buy separate insurance for each track event.

 

[16Kobra]

I have used Grundy for a while and all they care about is stated value. They don’t cover any driving events. I buy separate insurance for each track event.

Agreed, I buy track insurance also.

 

[drummerboy]

If you don’t have a FordPass account, the data is still being sent to ford (assuming to don’t physically disable the comms hardware), but that doesn’t mean they’re doing anything with it. There’s no ID to relate it to.

Fantastic, thanks for the explanation, makes complete sense and must also be why they immediately push getting everyone set up on it immediately.

Sponsored