@rysiek “We are doubling down on this very important work, putting security above all else — before all other features and investments,” Nadella said before adding “at least for the rest of this week. Maybe even a whole month.”

@rysiek At the bottom of that article is a headline for suggested next article:
“Also read: Microsoft is making Teams secure by default, automatically enabling new protections to reduce AI-driven threats.”

It wasn’t secure by default? But they’re gonna change that?

And I love how it flip flops from rock solid certainty “secure by default” to corporate weasel-speak “reduce AI-driven threats” in the span of a single sentence.

@awfulwoman It’s easier said than done. My car is like the RAV4, but it’s a BZ4X. Look at what it takes to “cut the cable” on a RAV4. I will do this eventually, but I need instructions this detailed.

https://arkadiyt.com/2026/05/13/removing-the-modem-and-gps-from-my-rav4/

@elebertus I’m over on a Toyota forum asking about it. The ONLY replies I get are like “you can’t stop all the ALPR and apps on your phone, so why bother with the car?” And similar “who cares?” sorts of replies. It’s depressing. People actively resisting my effort to stop the data collection.

@ausfestivus Thanks. Yeah that’s how I know I can replace the DCM with a wiring harness. But there aren’t instructions (that I have seen) for doing this on a BZ4X.

@daedalus

I’m looking into it. I know a couple things for sure. Data collection is opt-out, the modem is buried deep inside the dashboard (so a huge PITA to get) and the phone microphone runs through the DCM (data communications module). For $70 I can get a bypass harness that you put in place of the DCM. It’s just wires with the right connectors and it keeps a few things connected (like the microphone) that would be disconnected by simply removing the DCM.

What I am uncertain about is how to get to the DCM. For a lot of cars (RAV4, Camry) there are published instructions. I’m not afraid, but I won’t do it without instructions.

Also, the symbol on the screen that indicates DCM is not working is already indicating that. When I spoke to the folks in customer service, they did some stuff on their end. So I’m not sure if it’s transmitting or not. I do know that it can. It probably is. But the icon suggests it is not.

Finally there are lots of extra stupid things. If I disconnect the DCM, the cars GPS stops working. That’s fine. But then my iPhone, when connected to the car, will use the broken signals from the cars broken GPS, and then it won’t know where it is! Also, I have to connect CarPlay by wire, not wireless. If I connect by wireless, the car will use the phone to transmit its telemetry!

What a massive PITA!

@zotnobot @isocat

I bought a car. I’m trying to get Toyota to stop sending telemetry. I call support. They tell me I can just sign in with the app and make changes.

I point out that installing and using the app binds me to terms and conditions, one of which is binding arbitration. So I will not be installing the app.

No, no. The customer service agent confidently contradicts me. You don’t sign a contract by installing the app. It’s just like making a Facebook or google account.

@L1vY@mstdn.social Apparently one of the crimes he was charged with was not having a license for a boat. But you don’t need a license to have an anchor!
#Cybertruck

#MrMittens is convinced that we would give him more treats if we just had a bit more money. So he spent a little time on #caturday checking for loose change in the chair cushions. Alas, he found no loose change. But we gave him a treat for trying to help.
#catsofmastodon