Subaru Data Privacy Request and Subaru’s response

[Blackmagic71]

Currently I drive a 2023 BRZ that I purchased new and about 5-6 weeks ago out of curiosity I filled out a request with Subaru to see what data they collect and what they use it for.

This was their response:

[Blackmagic71]

Personally not very excited to see my information being sold to insurance companies or LexisNexis.

For my next vehicle I’m strongly considering finding something older with really low miles that has been well taken care of so it won’t be selling my info to third parties.

[OpusX]

I have a '23 crosstrek. I pulled all of the infotainment console out and went "old school" with a single din cd/usb/bluetooth stereo. The entire telematics "starlink" module is now deleted.

[tyronejk]

Did your car also have OnStar or something similar? I assume it's a separate system from the infotainment but maybe not. I'm thinking about removing this from my '17 VW but want to keep the infotainment system for Android Auto.

Yeah, I know Google is selling the GPS data just like VW is, but I at least have the option of turning off or not carrying my phone on me in the car.

[OpusX]

Subaru has its thing called "Starlink" it is a module typically in the infotainment stack. It is possible to just remove it, but the factory stereo also sucks.

[Blackmagic71]

I have a '23 crosstrek. I pulled all of the infotainment console out and went "old school" with a single din cd/usb/bluetooth stereo. The entire telematics "starlink" module is now deleted.

Do you still have a screen that you can view maps on? Or do you mount your phone somewhere and view it that way?

The BRZ was a collaboration with Toyota and the Gr86, so I think it uses a Toyota infotainment display instead of Subaru.

[OpusX]

If I need nav I use a phone. Less annoying than some bright always on garbage.

I need to reinstall my Kenwood d710 ham radio, but here is the console for reference. Nothing like a 6-speed and a cd player.

[Reflex0283]

This is exactly what I would do if I had a new car

[iamthelazerviking]

That's absurd

[RAZRBAKK]

It's pretty much all companies at this point. All of my cars are old and I dont know what I'm going to do when the time comes to replace them.

Echoing what BlackMagic said, LexisNexis is my biggest concern as they are actively in the business of selling your data to you insurance provider.

Unfortunately most people don't know or don't care because it hasn't directly impacted them yet.

I need to upgrade my car this year or next, and I'm really not looking for anything newer than 2016.

And to the "they already track you other ways" crowd: Not me. I'm a schizo about it already.

[Siress]

It's very difficult to opt out, as well. With Hyundai/Kia, they systematically block you from opting out of everything at once. It takes a few minutes to fill out the form, then you can select 2 things to opt out of, and then you have wait an entire day before you can repeat the process. It took me about a week to get through them all. In that time, at which point I immediately got a letter from my insurance provider that they were increasing my rate... I'd wager it's because they were no longer allowed to keep tabs on me to use when denying claims. I wouldn't be surprised if they still collect the data, though.

Oh, and they make you answer one of these things that asks 5-10 personal questions based on the data they already have on you... some of which was wrong for me because I take lengths to inject misinformation whenever possible. So that was fun to contend with as well... Get it wrong and it'll lock you out again.


This was the best example. 80% of these questions were wrong, so I had no way of getting through it.

[tyronejk]

Previously, I tried requesting my data from LexisNexis to see what they had collected about me and after filling out an online form that had maybe 5 ID questions, they sent me a letter in the mail saying they couldn't verify my identify and would not send me any data.

[Tarsun2]

i was able to pull my data from Lexis. Its WiLd. they have every fake name ive ever used. Plus a TON more. And im usually paranoid about that stuff.

[Daltech]

It’s not like I don’t want a 2026 brand new vehicle, it’s just that cars aren’t what they used to be. These days they are mobile invasions of privacy as opposed to modes of transportation. Unfortunate as that may be, I’m still amazed at the people that buy and promote new vehicle ownership like it’s a status symbol and if you don’t drive a 2024 Subaru or a 2025 4 runner you are therefore poor.

[Siress]

Funny, that's exactly the opposite of my vantage point. Confined to people that love their vehicle, I think most of the people driving around in newer vehicles are a lot poorer than people with 10+ year old rides. The former typically don't own them yet, as they're paying down a loan to the bank (or worse, leasing).

[The Hobbit]

Personally not very excited to see my information being sold to insurance companies or LexisNexis.

For my next vehicle I’m strongly considering finding something older with really low miles that has been well taken care of so it won’t be selling my info to third parties.

Yeah that is my general opinion, something from just before the internet connected cars became a thing. I know my phone does it and most “smart” devices but dammit my car doesn’t need to cheat on me like that. Long live 90s vehicles.

[OpusX]

I'll just leave this here...

https://github.com/Comer352L/FreeSSM

[Daltech]

Silicon prairie is real. 🤣

[RPP]

That's ugly. I'm hoping somebody like Slate Auto* will get something going and just produce a car. Just a car...

*I'm referring to their simplicity, not their data collection policies. I have not looked into slates data collection detials.

[RAZRBAKK]

I'm hopeful that Slate

1. Actually produces their truck
2. Keeps the price where they're aiming
3. Doesn't succumb to the Amazon money

So far it looks good, no infotainment so far, but if it requires any account setup to get going that could be a problem.

[Blackmagic71]

I came across a DCM delete/bypass kit and a video how to install it. Might give it a try.

https://youtu.be/hN9KzAY5twk?is=Yq_ibOlC9EsrNtSQ