PSA : Toyota Privacy Invasion

I had an option to decline this service when registering on the Toyota app. Not sure why that was not an option in this instance. I hope they get back to you and stop the tracking.

 

i have never heard of toyota insurance. file a complaint with nhtsa. not sure who else to report it to, state insurance commissioner?

 

Seems it launched back in 2016. Though on April 1, so maybe many thought it was a joke.

New Telematics Car Insurance Services Company to be Launched in U.S. - Toyota USA Newsroom

 

Huh, sounds like the scam, “your computer has been compromised by a virus. Click on this link to download our latest protection software.”.


iPad ? Pro

 

This must be a new thing for 2020 PRIME line-up which now has Toyota Safety Connect as standard in all trims. My PRIME has no telematics to send driving data remotely. Did you sign up for the Safety Connect service? If you did, you might have opted-in at that time. I suppose it is still possible for Toyota to extract data from the vehicle driving data recorder (aka "black box") at some time during a dealer service, but I really doubt they do that.

Did you read through all the "small prints" on your car documentation especially relating to the Safety Connect service? If you truly did not opt-in, I wonder who to complain about things like this.

You might want to refer to this site for the Toyota privacy policy: Privacy and protection
Here is an excerpt... though it does not give specific contact info on how to "deactivate" the Connected Services.

When you lease or buy a vehicle equipped with Connected Services, data collection is active. You may deactivate Connected Services at any time by contacting us; and we will no longer collect your Personal Information, Location Data, Driving Data and Vehicle Health Data.

If you do not deactivate Connected Services, you specifically consent to our electronic collection and use of your personal information and vehicle data and our storage of such data wherever we designate.

• Auto Insurance Designed for You. You may choose to opt-in for usage-based insurance products and services. If you opt-in, your Driving Behavior Data (such as your vehicle’s acceleration, speed, braking and steering) and your Location Data will be used to deliver usage-based insurance services to you, and for quality assurance, analysis, research and product development.

 

I know Google besides all of its monitoring and tracking, probably even times how long it takes me to take a leak, but this 2020 vehicle connected services tracking by default somehow bothers me more.

 

if you don't have any luck with toyota, contact you ag's consumer affairs or insurance division

 

i WILL find you ..
.

 

So did you or did you not signed up for the Safety Connect service after you purchased the car? My understanding was that even though the newly purchased car came with the free 3 years of service, the subscription for the service had to be activated by the owner. At least that's the way it used to work.

If Toyota changed that policy and now all cars equipped with the Connected Service telematics are by default active from day one you drive off of the dealer's lot whether you signed up for the service or not, I feel strongly against the practice.

 

As a 'service', my Chevy dealer signed me up for the free On Star and XM radio when I bought the Sonic. I'm dealers of other brands do the same.

 

Just FYI, apparently, the Remote Connect APP which was available only in Advanced (Limited in 2020) is no longer available for 2020 PRIME models. In any case, it sure sounds like Toyota has botched the handling of this BIG DATA. I see a class action brewing. If I decide to buy another Toyota (or maybe any make of newer models), I have to be 100% sure that it comes with none of the telematics that can spy on me. I am glad my current model of PRIME has none of that functions built-in.

Keep us posted if anything develops from your search and contact with Toyota on this issue.

 

Who knew that Big Brother was Toyota?

 

I bought my 2020 Base model a few months ago. Before I even got off the lot, the salesman pushed the button that called Safety Connect so that I could set up my account. There was no mention of Toyota Insurance, but that may be due to different insurance regulations here in Canada. I just accept the fact that Big Brother is watching my every move, at least as long as it's free. At the end of the 3 year free period, if I don't carry on with the service, there's a good chance that an antenna connection is going to accidently be disconnected.

I was *really* not impressed when, maybe a week after I got the car, I got a call from SiriusXM trying to get me to sign up. My Toyota salesman claimed he had no idea that I would be contacted like that. I've heard that SiriusXM telephone reps are about the worst anywhere to deal with when you want to cancel your service.

Ed

 

Have you ever canceled a Comcast account

 

For clarification, TIMS isn't an insurance company. Sounds like they are an agent that can use your driving data for deals from available insurance companies in your state.

 

the way i drive, i would love this