To evade tracking of personal information by car manufacturers, I removed the modem and GPS myself.



Modern cars are like computers on wheels, equipped with countless sensors. Automakers monetize by selling the data collected using these sensors. To address this, security architect

Arkady Tetelman has reported physically removing the modem and built-in GPS from his own car.

Removing the Modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 Hybrid
https://arkadiyt.com/2026/05/13/removing-the-modem-and-gps-from-my-rav4/

Tetelman, who drives a 2024 RAV4 (hybrid), says he physically removed the modem ( DCM ), a data communication module, and the built-in GPS to cut off the data source and prevent the car manufacturer from collecting data. This prevents the car from transmitting telemetry data .

Wiring methods, software, and firmware programming vary depending on the car manufacturer. Therefore, removing the modem and GPS may affect functionality in some cases. In Mr. Tetelman's RAV4, it appears that all functions that rely on data connectivity will stop working. These include wireless updates, Toyota's cloud-based services, SOS function, automatic collision notification, and emergency calls.

The RAV4's microphone is wired via the DCM, so removing the DCM will cause the in-car microphone to stop working. This is inconvenient if you plan to make phone calls in the car, but it is possible to install a DCM bypass kit to allow the microphone to function properly.

While smartphones use their own GPS, CarPlay receives location signals not only from the smartphone but also from the car's built-in GPS unit. Therefore, removing the DCM can cause the car to misinterpret its location, sometimes resulting in inaccurate user location data. To resolve this issue, the car's GPS must be completely disconnected to prevent incorrect location information from being sent to the smartphone.

In addition, removing the DCM and GPS may void part of the warranty. Tetelman also wrote, 'Thankfully, all the functions in the car are working 100% normally, except for the aforementioned cloud-based services. The cloud-based services were not needed in the first place.'



Even after removing the modem, if you connect your smartphone to the car via Bluetooth, the car will apparently send all telemetry data to Toyota's servers via the smartphone. However, this does not happen when using a wired connection.

Therefore, Tetelman uses CarPlay via USB to prevent his personal information from being sent to Toyota's servers. Tetelman explained, 'It would be great if there was a way to completely disable the car's Bluetooth function, but that's not possible because it's deeply integrated into the head unit.'

To remove the modem and GPS, Tetelman prepared

a trim removal kit , ratchet, extension, 10mm socket, 8mm socket, flathead screwdriver, and DCM bypass kit .



The DCM is built into the bottom of the shift lever, and apparently removing it requires delicate work in a cramped space and patience. Below is the DCM that Mr. Tetelman removed from his RAV4.



To disable the built-in GPS, you need to disassemble the car navigation system and disconnect the following single-wire cables inside. Disconnecting other cables may cause the car's backup camera to stop working or render CarPlay completely unusable.



Once everything is reassembled, start the car engine and check if the following icon, indicating no internet connection, is displayed in the upper right corner of the car's navigation screen.



Furthermore, it's OK if the SOS light above the rearview mirror is turned off.



Tetelman pointed out that he thinks it's only a matter of time before one of the following happens: 'Modems and GPS become more deeply integrated into cars,' 'Removing modems and GPS will cause serious malfunctions in cars,' or 'Laws will be passed to curb this kind of behavior.' Nevertheless, he said he is 'very pleased' that removing modems and GPS no longer causes telemetry data to leak to the outside.

Furthermore, regarding the fact that even if the modem is removed, connecting a smartphone to the car via Bluetooth will cause the car to send telemetry data to Toyota's servers via the smartphone, a comment was made on Hacker News stating , 'The problem is that both CarPlay and Android Auto independently collect vehicle telemetry data. Even if the car cannot use the smartphone as a general data transmission channel, Google and Apple can access this data while it is connected.'

Furthermore, Mozilla, known as the developer of Firefox, published a report in September 2023 that reviewed automobiles from a privacy perspective. This report pointed out that 'Nissan is using sexual information for business purposes,' among other things.

'Nissan's use of sexual information for business purposes': The automotive industry's privacy policy is the worst of all industries - GIGAZINE



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