2024 spyware

Does anyone know if I call and disable this, will it effect anything else, like the navigation/map?

 

@SVMTRCSR the dealer maintenance bit is extremely annoying. I do my own maintenance anyway. As for the cell phone thing, I agree. I am better off without it. The unhappy little trolls can't imagine life without a phone in their hands because it's literally all they have got in their tiny little self-focused worlds and their tiny little minds. Sad. Very sad.



I read two of the very long earlier threads on DCM, but sometimes information gets out of date as Toyota changes things around. I'll be looking specifically at the 2024, which I think was identical in every respect to the 2023, but I wouldn't swear to it. I don't need the mic, but as long as I am at it fiddling with the speakers, I'll take a look at it for those who do and see if I can figure it out. Anybody know where the microphones are located and the mic wire colors? I think I read that there are two mics.

I won't be using navigation, so I can't help with that. I'll be using the bottom of the line OEM head end unit without navigation, or an aftermarket upgrade unit, and upgraded speakers. Also, be warned about the SiriusXM hacks that have occurred. I don't use satellite radio and won't have navigation, so I will be disabling all of that too.

 

It will not affect the navigation / map in your infotainment system. Your navigation relies on a GPS antenna which has nothing to do with the Data Communication Module. Toyota will be sad to see you go, however, as your location data and driving habit history is worth money to the insurance companies.

 

The shark fin, right?

 

It's pretty funny how obsessed you are about data privacy while also having no idea what any of the components on your car are doing in relation to data.

Aaaaaaaaaah DaTa BaD¡!¡!¡! I MuSt ReMoVe AlL AnTeNnA deViCeS!¡!¡!¡!

I hope you have asked all your friends and family to remove all of your contact information for their personal devices. You'd hate to end up in Meta's DB unintentionally. Let's not even mention the bank

 

I don't know what's under the shark fin - SiriusXM GPS antenna probably and perhaps the navigation GPS antenna. I know the navigation GPS antenna used to be under the dashboard but I have no idea where it is on recent models.

 

Either OP is lying about owning a phone/device or he's sitting at the computer all day just waiting for responses. Which is worse?

 

I wonder if a dealer can take out the DCM once it's out of warranty and keep the mic and right speaker functionality...

 

I imagine the wires for the speakers just need simple jumpers like this mod that was done to a RAV4:

I would imagine not without signing a legal release first, like when you ask them to permanently disable the radar. Given the information on the speaker plug above, which likely is the same, I think all that is left to figure out is the microphone for those who want to retain that function. It can't be that difficult.

 

The answer to the microphone question likely is here: https://www.to4runner.net/microphon...one_and_navigation_receiver_assembly-499.html

... the DCM (telematics transceiver) sends power to the map light assembly (telephone microphone assembly), and the map light assembly (telephone microphone assembly) sends microphone signals to the navigation receiver assembly via the DCM (telematics transceiver) (w/ Manual (SOS) Switch).

 

To add, you can receive traffic data via HD/FM radio. Otherwise any remote app functionality like that app remote start they have and OTA updates will not be available. Don’t expect to be able to hit the SOS button after this. Also Toyota won’t be able to send “prepare for your X mile maintenance” emails among other things with your metrics.

On another note, it’s a shame so many can’t comprehend the idea of damage control and the danger of feeding big data “Weapons of Math Destruction”. Great read, I highly recommend.

It’s not just what it can be used for today, but also tomorrow.

But I used a 4runner discussion board and watched a YouTube video so I guess I better just publish all my personal text messages and porn habits publicly.

 

A little more insight. https://www.to4runner.net/system_diagram-377.html

 

I think the fix might be this if someone wants to try it. Use jumpers in the plug like they did on this RAV4:




violet to light green
pink to blue

 

For you microphone people, it looks like the microphone has a tiny amplifier that needs 4 to 6 volts, accessory switched, supplied by the DCM. I assume MCout+ could be jumpered to MCin+ and MCout- to MCin-. Looking online, certain other things like the backup camera might have a 6 volt wire that you might be able to tap into.
Proceed at your own risk.

I'm just going to leave the mic disconnected. I'll disconnect everything and jumper across the speaker plug. When the backup battery dies, so be it. If someone ever wants to plug the DCM back in, they can replace the battery. Easy peasy for people who can live without the mic.

https://www.to4runner.net/microphon...one_and_navigation_receiver_assembly-499.html

 

In the interest of weighing pros/cons, can anyone think of OTA updates which would be helpful? Hurtful?

 

Depends on the device getting updates and the nature of the update. I am biased against it in consumer automotive use currently and it definitely will be in this post.

A big pro is convenience since iPhone’s used to have to be plugged into a computer to apply software updates. My Sorento had an update applied by the dealer (not free, but I combined it with other work so it was added in) to fix poor contrast in the backup camera view and being OTA would have been a plus.

For Tesla’s, a lot of things can be changed via OTA like braking (after poor Consumer Reports testing), changes to the “Autopilot” and other things.

So it also depends whether the update applies to infotainment only or can affect the rest of the vehicle. And the pros and cons can vary there - not as much risk if the only potential thing going wrong is no radio.

In the 4Runner, I would say it’s small tweaks to the headunit so it’s not as big of a difference. There’s a chance of new features but cars generally don’t see big changes via updates outside of Tesla and some “high tech” type cars.

Cons could be tech’s “ship first, patch later” attitude resulting in buggy software shipping requiring updates. See GM’s very poor Blazer EV showing. The core car could be rock-solid but trying to be high tech means more than ever, the software has to be solid.

The problem with OTA updates is that it requires the company to be reasonably good at software. Both staff, procedure, code, quality assurance testing has to be solid and thorough.

When it goes wrong, bad things happen. (I will ignore the main issue at hand of the privacy/data implications of an internet-connected car)

Couple examples:

Failed Mach-E updates can brick the car. Requiring a call to Ford and it also offers instructions to the tow driver.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/update-not-successful-vehicle-cannot-be-driven.32723/

Chevrolet Colorado OTA update went wrong and drained batteries.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/2023-...ains-batteries-by-leaving-the-infotainment-on

Not to mention the headlight controls are virtual buttons and the project manager claimed that the system was bug-free. Which to any computer professional would sound hilariously naive/optimistic. It’s possible but not something an auto manufacturer would realistically attain.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10210686

There’s also the security aspect where a supply-side attack or malicious employee on the company’s end could be a concern but that likely won’t be in the threat model for most.

It’s great for devices expected/needed to change and update often especially security and feature updates for computers.

But since our head-units aren’t expected to change much beyond maybe map updates (if it even does that), the odd bug, the value isn’t as apparent. New features in a car aren’t as neat especially since it’s usually seen more mission-critical and I’d prefer less gadgets to be potentially buggy.

It’s a shame that EV’s tend towards these (other than say the Bolt, Leaf) but it’s also becoming more prominent in gasoline vehicles.

 

I've never had an OTA update in my life.

 

I do not want one either. I know someone who's Tesla recently stopped working and had to be towed to the dealership for a manual update because of one.

 

You lost me at EV. No batteries in anything please. No to hybrid also.

I went to a dealer today. It's Spring so there were more people there. I looked at a few 4R's, and none had a data privacy sticker. So I asked about it. At least in Florida you now have to sign a form authorizing them to activate all of the connectivity services, with an option for which ones you want. So it's an opt-in now and not an opt-out, at least in Florida. That's a little better.

 

This thread is great btw. For those adding value or interested, there is a handy ignore option in the profile of trolls. It really makes the content much better.

 

I am very glad to see that, at least in Florida, it now requires a new owner to sign a form to turn on each data/info service, otherwise they are disabled. Of course, that only addresses one of several issues raised in this thread, but it's a start for consumer data protection.

If something does go wrong, you have a signed legal agreement stating that you did NOT consent to have them turned on. There may be some sort of exceptions buried somewhere that say that Toyota can still collect info, but at least this is a start.

 

I hereby (temporarily) threadjack my thread!

The "TRD Off Road" comes with highway/street tires! I find that humorous. They are the same ones that came on my FJ Cruiser. Good tires, and they lasted forever, but not what I really wanted. The dealer wants an absurd price for 4 for "all-terrain" tires, and they get to keep the 4 brand new ones! Anyone know which national tire dealer chains offer a trade-in credit for brand new tires? Obviously I need a chain with a store in Northeast Florida.

Maybe one day soon I'll own one of these things! Dealer says what I want may take some time. That's fine. I love my FJ and hate to replace it, but want something new, always wanted a 4R, and this is the last year before Toyota/EPA screws it up forever IMHO. I do not want a 4-cyl turbo or hybrid 4R and I cannot stand the interior of the new Tacoma, which is supposed to be the basis for the 4R next year.

 

Yeah some of these trolls act so consistently evil that one wonders if they are in fact DS bots? Why would a normal, fully functioning human be disturbed by someone's interests in protecting themselves??? If they are human I bet I know their ideology, and that would explain it all. In the old days these freaks stayed in the shadows.

 

Not to take sides, just want to point out you are making assumptions and then name calling. Is this how fully functioning humans should act? Notice, I didn’t say do, because we don’t. You give a perfect example of what our society is doing. Taking sides, making assumptions about those that you believe think differently than you, and then name call or put them down.

most of the time we all want the same outcome, we just can’t agree.

 

^ You can analysis paralysis all you want. I've read the entire thread and stand by my statements about those who attack the tenet of decency.

 

Murica!