Data Privacy? How to disable vehicle from collecting info on texts and phone calls?

[Erwin_R]

In the the owners manual Ford states that it collects info on texts and phone calls when you connect your phone to the vehicle. This includes calls made when the phone was not connected (See quote below).

“If you connect a cell phone to the system, the system creates a profile that links to that cell phone. The cell phone profile enables more mobile features and efficient operation. The profile contains, for example data from your phonebook, read and unread text messages and call history, including history of calls when your cell phone was not connected to the system.”

How can this be disabled?
Jon

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[Deleted member 14823]

That's bizarre. Since most folks are using Apple or Android, what would be the reason to store all that info in the Sync system? It's not like you can make a call through the Sync system without your phone.

 

[st3v]

It probably loads the information so you can go through your call history when driving.

Does the manual state that Ford actually collects the information and sends it to their own remote servers, or is it only saved locally to the car?

 

[Erwin_R]

That's bizarre. Since most folks are using Apple or Android, what would be the reason to store all that info in the Sync system? It's not like you can make a call through the Sync system without your phone.

A cynical view would be that Ford would sell the data.

 

[Mav230]

They sold some pre ordered data last year. The android had constraints and the apple is in a box car somewhere in Texas I bet.

 

[Gullzway]

Kind of makes sense that to be able to display calls and texts on the Screen, it has to be able to read them from your phone.

To disable, don't connect a phone to the vehicle.

 

[BlueSnake77]

I doubt it is sending any data to Ford. I've had SYNC in my Fords since 2011 and they've always stored things like your phones identification so it can link to the system when you start the car and a phone book with your phone numbers. But like my previous Fords, the Maverick doesn't have a system like GM's Onstar or Hyundai's Bluelink system that is linked up to a 3rd party provider. Now I know that Hyundia's Bluelink system DOES transmit driving data and whatnot to Hyundai. They tell you that upfront. There is a way to disable it though.

 

[NOLAguy]

The only thing they can find out about me is: I have no friends and bad taste in porn, sell that if you want, good luck.

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

We opt to share our phone with the car. The car has to save some of the data in order to work. I agree with @Gullzway, don’t share your phone if you want it disabled.

 

[BoboysTruck]

Idk how it works on APPLE but for Android users, go to your apps and you can choose what FORDPASS can and can't access on your phone.

 

[respi133]

Idk how it works on APPLE but for Android users, go to your apps and you can choose what FORDPASS can and can't access on your phone.

This is OP's answer, disabling permissions from the phone side will not allow Sync to interface and pull that data.

For iPhones: Go to Settings > Privacy, then tap App Privacy Report (iOS 15.2 or later)

 

[WannaMav]

Idk how it works on APPLE but for Android users, go to your apps and you can choose what FORDPASS can and can't access on your phone.

Additional share or don't share options inisde the Fordpass app settings on the touch screen.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

That's bizarre. Since most folks are using Apple or Android, what would be the reason to store all that info in the Sync system? It's not like you can make a call through the Sync system without your phone.

It's not bizarre. It is data gathering by those like Google who are selling your data. I will intensionally do things like park in front of store 3-4 doors down and leave phone in car. Then I will get text messages and calls related to that business. Then several months or more while driving in that area I can get reminders that it's lunch time and would I like to eat or shop there? It is possible to get a list of all senders of text messages or verbal phone call that contain specific information (no matter which language is used). Etc..... I just got a text from my sister that said she had my picture pop up on her phone that I texted her seven years ago today. The picture contains the gps location it was taken as well as time of day. I am sure it is also saved on cloud and subject to be searched and found by "who has been within x feet of a nearby gps search within n days". Etc,etc,etc....

 

[Deleted member 14823]

It's not bizarre. It is data gathering by those like Google who are selling your data.

No, I get all that. What I'm saying is bizarre is the idea that the vehicle needs to keep a contact list and call/text history, when the phone does that for you and you can't use the vehicle's cell connection separately to make calls. I'm saying the premise is bizarre. All the bluetooth connection really needs to do is connect the audio to play through the vehicle speakers and mic. Is this really for the small percentage of people that do not have either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

That's bizarre. Since most folks are using Apple or Android, what would be the reason to store all that info in the Sync system? It's not like you can make a call through the Sync system without your phone.

I believe that if you had an at&t data plan you should be able to make a call through the sync system using the maverick without going through the phone and if your phone was set to use nearby wifi and you had provided the password your phone would complete the call using the trucks data plan instead of its own data plan.

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