Remove RAV4 Modem and GPS to Stop Data Collection

You bought a car. You don't own it. That's the uncomfortable truth Arkadiy T. discovered with his 2024 Toyota RAV4 hybrid. He didn't like Toyota slurping his driving data and sending it to who-knows-where, so he opened the dashboard, unplugged the GPS antenna, and disconnected the cellular modem. His detailed write-up on Arkadiy's blog is making waves on Hacker News right now. It's a surgical strike against the connected car's default data-collection posture.

The Telemetry Removal Process

The guide walks through removing two components: the telematics control unit (cellular modem) and the GPS antenna. The modem sits behind the glove box and uses a standard 4G LTE module (Sierra Wireless EM7565) that can be unplugged. The GPS antenna is a small patch antenna with a coaxial connector that disconnects without triggering error messages. After removal, all telematics services stop working — Toyota's connected services go dark, and the car stops phoning home. However, if you connect your phone via Bluetooth, the car can still use your phone's internet to send data. The author's solution: use a wired USB connection for CarPlay.

Privacy Concerns in Connected Cars

The post hit a nerve on Hacker News. With 272 points and 122 comments, the community is passionate about privacy and the erosion of ownership. One commenter shared a frustrating experience:

“I have the same car and want to do this, but not for the reasons the author noted but because the GPS unit in the car is broken when paired with Carplay and has the wrong compass heading causing navigation to be completely useless. I have reported this to Toyota multiple times with videos detailing the problem and they have denied the problem and ultimately when faced with the evidence simply refused to fix it.”

Another comment raised a key nuance: “The problem with this is that both carplay and android auto capture their own vehicle telemetry. So even though the car is not able to use your phone as a general data pipe, Google and Apple still get access to this data when you're connected.”

A Ford Maverick owner chimed in with a simpler approach: the 2024 Ford Maverick has a single fuse for the telematics unit that you can remove without throwing a code or an error.

The thread also digs into Toyota's alleged sharing of driving data with insurance companies. One commenter argued this is an opt-in program that many owners unknowingly accept during setup. Others worry about future integration making such hacks impossible.

Limitations and Trade-Offs

This is hands-on resistance at its best. Car companies are turning vehicles into subscription platforms, and the default is full surveillance. The author's approach is commendable because it's a direct, physical action that reclaims control. But it's not a complete solution. As that HN commenter pointed out, Apple and Google still get data via CarPlay/Android Auto. For a privacy purist, the only way to truly disconnect is to never pair a smartphone—impractical for most.

What's most telling is the existence of a hack at all. Toyota didn't design the modem to be easily removable; the author had to disassemble dashboard trim. And disconnecting the GPS antenna doesn't trigger errors, suggesting it's an afterthought. That won't last. As another commenter predicted: “It's only a matter of time before the modem and GPS become more deeply integrated into the car (making this blog post infeasible), or cars have more drastic failure modes when the modem/GPS is removed.”

Still, this post serves as a proof-of-concept and a rallying cry. It shows that with the right tools and a bit of courage, you can push back against the connected car paradigm. The more people do this, the harder it will be for automakers to ignore the demand for opt-out options.

Actionable Steps for Tinkerers

If you're a developer, engineer, or tinkerer, this is a call to action. First, know what's in your car. Many modern vehicles have a telematics control unit (TCU) that can be identified by its VIN-specific SIM card. Documentation exists for some models — like the Ford Maverick's telematics fuse.

Second, assume that any OEM-approved connected service is collecting data. Even if you opt out of marketing, basic telemetry like speed, location, and battery status may still be sent. To verify, you can use a network monitoring tool like Wireshark on your phone when connected via Bluetooth, or install a cellular signal blocker to test whether the modem is active.

Third, consider hardware solutions beyond removal. Some enthusiasts install kill switches for the TCU or replace the antenna with a dummy load to avoid fault codes. For example, a 10-ohm resistor across the antenna connection can trick the system into thinking the antenna is present.

# Example: Checking for cellular activity on a RAV4
# Use a USB LTE dongle or a software-defined radio to scan for LTE bands around 700/1900MHz
# Or use an RF power meter to detect transmission peaks when ignition is on

lsusb | grep Sierra
dmesg | grep -i modem

Finally, push back at the policy level. The Right to Repair movement is fighting for laws that require automakers to provide diagnostic access and spare parts. Support that. And when you buy a car, ask the dealer explicitly whether you can disable the modem without voiding the warranty.

The Verdict

If you value privacy, this hack matters. Every connected car is a data-collection device on wheels. The bigger threat is systemic: as cars become more integrated, our ability to opt out diminishes. This post shows it's still possible, but for how long? If you're not ready to open your dashboard, at least be aware of what you consent to in those app setup screens. And if you're a tinkerer, share your findings. For further reading, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation's work on connected car privacy.

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