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

[Gullzway]

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....

This is Google. Nothing to due with the Ford Sync 3 Radio.

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[Deleted member 14823]

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.

Okay, well I didn't know you can do that. It makes more sense now.

 

[999]

Paranoia.

 

[Gullzway]

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 an Apple or Android phone?

"If your vehicle has hands-free calling via Bluetooth, it will most likely ask you whether you want to download your address book to the car's memory. This way, you can use the car's touchscreen to find a contact. It's less distracting than finding it on your phone.

If the idea of having all your contacts being stored in your vehicle makes you uneasy, there are ways around it. The easiest option is to say "No," when the system prompts you to download your phonebook. If you need to make a call, however, you will have to enter the number on the phone, rather than on the in-dash display.
If you do choose to have your contacts stored in the car, chances are that the information will still be secure. Many of the vehicles we tested do not display the phonebook if the phone has not been paired via Bluetooth.
"We've had Sync in our cars since 2007 and the phone must be paired in order to view the contacts," says Alan Hall, technology communications manager for Ford Motor Company.
In other words, if someone turned off Bluetooth on their phone before leaving the car with the valet, the contacts would not be visible. Activating valet mode in a car that has that feature would also alleviate this concern."

 

[Deleted member 14823]

"If your vehicle has hands-free calling via Bluetooth, it will most likely ask you whether you want to download your address book to the car's memory. This way, you can use the car's touchscreen to find a contact. It's less distracting than finding it on your phone.

If the idea of having all your contacts being stored in your vehicle makes you uneasy, there are ways around it. The easiest option is to say "No," when the system prompts you to download your phonebook. If you need to make a call, however, you will have to enter the number on the phone, rather than on the in-dash display.
If you do choose to have your contacts stored in the car, chances are that the information will still be secure. Many of the vehicles we tested do not display the phonebook if the phone has not been paired via Bluetooth.
"We've had Sync in our cars since 2007 and the phone must be paired in order to view the contacts," says Alan Hall, technology communications manager for Ford Motor Company.
In other words, if someone turned off Bluetooth on their phone before leaving the car with the valet, the contacts would not be visible. Activating valet mode in a car that has that feature would also alleviate this concern."

All of the above is not necessary if you have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That's all I'm saying. I'm not the OP...I don't necessarily care either way.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Okay, well I didn't know you can do that. It makes more sense now.

If you were in a dead zone for your cell provider perhaps the at&t cell service could be used. I normally have my cell connected to wifi at my house (same provider) but the T-Mobile longe range home internet device has a better signal (it's 4x4 mimo= more and better antennas). It can handle up to 64 devices, I think.

 

[Mareys]

I dont use my phone in my truck, it isnt even turned on. I have turned off the WiFi many many times and out of the blue it re activates, it will not remain off. Any thoughts/suggestions? I turn it off so it isnt talking to my Wifi when sitting in the driveway. I went through 3 batteries in 3 weeks and that was one of the suggestions and since i dont use it i keep turning it off.

 

[palmtreefrb]

...what, you lost all your privacy when you activated your android/apple cell phone. Oh, and if your reading this in a browser, well...
The only way to solve your privacy concerns is turn it off and ride your bike

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