A Device Hidden in Cars Across the US Leaves Them Vulnerable to Hacking and Paralysis. Patch It Now

Car owners in Southern California are most likely to have the device installed due to its popularity among car dealers in the region, but the UCSD researchers warn that they’ve found the devices installed in vehicles across the US and even in other countries.

The part I was most interested in. I thought California was supposed to have slightly better privacy laws, but I guess it really doesn’t mean much.

This is about dealerships pre-installing an alarm system and trying to upsell people at paperwork signing. If they turn down the option, the dealers just don’t activate the alarm system. Some dealers are shadier about it than others. I went into final docs signing without ever being told about the $600 option and only barely noticed it before I signed. I was like, “uhhh, what’s this?” Luckily I was aware of other bullshit upcharges dealers tack on like underbody coatings and stuff, so I made sure to go line by line on the price. $600 for an alarm that could be bought for $200, plus I think it also had a recurring yearly fee for it.

So all of those people were informed that their vehicle did have this privacy and security invasion. There was just no way to have it uninstalled.

When I get an oil change now I also get “three free months” of Sirrius Satellite radio… racket and a half subscription seeking scum.