SPECIAL REPORT | How Vehicle Telematics Turns Your 4×4 Into a Government Informant

Since the late ’90s, with GM’s introduction of OnStar, the use of telematics for remote data collection has advanced in an unprecedented way. In this article, we will explore how modern vehicles, including Jeeps, Toyotas, and UTVs, integrate a Telematics Control Unit that powers an embedded SIM card operating on 4G or 5G GSM networks, directly communicating with road infrastructure, other cars, and integrating into the broader Internet of Things.

The standardized use of telematics systems in modern vehicles has introduced major concerns overshadowing the alleged convenience and safety. These systems, which integrate embedded SIM cards (eSIMs) for connectivity, provide automakers and other entities with unparalleled access to a wealth of data related to vehicle usage, driver behavior, and geographic movements. These technologies are falsely advertised as beneficial for improving road safety, providing navigation assistance, and enabling remote services; they also create a mechanism for continuous surveillance, data mining, and potentially exerting control over citizens.

The Nature and Purpose of Telematics and V2X Technology

Telematics refers to the integrated use of telecommunications and information technology within vehicles to provide services such as GPS navigation, remote diagnostics, emergency crash notification, and more. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology extends these services by enabling vehicles to communicate with other vehicles (V2V), roadside infrastructure (V2I), and other connected devices. This broad category of technologies leverages connectivity protocols like 4G, 5G, and Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC).

These systems are typically driven by telematics control units (TCUs), which act as the communication hub of the vehicle. Modern TCUs utilize eSIMs, which are permanently embedded in the hardware, eliminating the need for traditional removable SIM cards. The eSIM is tied directly to the vehicle’s cellular connectivity, providing a gateway for manufacturers and service providers to remotely monitor, update, and interact with the vehicle. This integration is portrayed as crucial for enabling real-time data exchange and advancing the development of autonomous driving systems.

Automakers and Data Collection: The Scale of Monitoring

Telematics systems in vehicles are now standard across many models, even in basic trims, providing continuous connectivity to mobile networks. This constant connection is integral not only to offering features such as crash reporting, navigation updates, and vehicle diagnostics but also to transmitting large volumes of data back to manufacturers. The data collected goes beyond basic vehicle maintenance and includes sensitive information like real-time location, speed, braking patterns, and driver inputs. In some advanced systems, even biometric data such as heart rate, eye movement, and drowsiness detection may be monitored.

The collection of this vast amount of data is framed as being necessary for enhancing safety and delivering personalized services. However, the consequences extend far beyond mere safety considerations. Automakers and third-party companies utilize this data to build detailed behavioral profiles, analyze driving patterns, and sell this information to other corporate entities. In addition, the data is directly shared with local governmental agencies maintaining intelligent transportation system infrastructure without the explicit consent of drivers.

International Agreements and Standards are Setting the Global Stage

The integration of these technologies is part of a larger, coordinated international initiative to create interoperable intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Through international standards set by bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and agreements such as the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic by the UN, countries have aligned on common standards for automotive telematics and V2X communication. These agreements establish the framework for a globally integrated infrastructure where vehicles, smart city systems, and transportation networks can communicate seamlessly.

The global nature of these standards means that vehicles sold in different markets are subject to the same technological frameworks. It is also another example of how global standards are forced on the American people without the consent of the governed and with very little regulatory oversight. This creates a potential for unchecked centralized surveillance and control, where adversarial regimes and corporations could access vast amounts of data on the American people through confidential agreements void of congressional oversight. The standardization of telematics systems also paves the way for autonomous driving technologies, which rely heavily on real-time data from connected vehicles and infrastructure.

Surveillance, Control, and eSIM Integration

The permanent nature of eSIMs embedded in TCUs means that the connectivity in these vehicles is largely under the control of the automaker or a network provider. These systems are designed to facilitate continuous data exchange, allowing automakers or third parties to track a vehicle’s location in real-time, access telemetry data, and remotely control vehicle functions.

This capability is justified by manufacturers as essential for providing remote services such as software updates, theft prevention, or crash response. However, it also introduces the possibility of remote disabling of vehicles or geofencing restrictions based on data collected from telematics systems. Such capabilities could be leveraged to control and restrict citizens’ mobility under certain concepts such as the 15-minute city or travel management restrictions on public lands.

Moreover, with the integration of V2X technology, these systems are not just communicating with cloud servers but also with traffic management systems, roadside infrastructure, and even other vehicles. This integration into the broader Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem means that vehicles are becoming part of a comprehensive surveillance network, with the potential to record and track every movement and action of drivers and passengers.

The Role of the Government and Manufacturers

Manufacturers’ implementation of these technologies is largely driven by voluntary safety standards and international agreements. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided guidelines and best practices for vehicle safety and connectivity but stops short of mandating specific data-sharing requirements. This means that the implementation of telematics and V2X communication is predominantly at the discretion of automakers, with little federal oversight over how consumer data is collected, stored, or shared.

However, manufacturers are not the only parties involved in the development of these systems. Government agencies at the federal and state levels have direct access to data from telematics systems for traffic management and law enforcement purposes. Although the constitutional limitations of the Fourth Amendment protect against unreasonable searches and seizures, the lack of transparency surrounding data-sharing agreements between automakers and government agencies leaves room for extensive corruption.

Control, Privacy, and the Future of Mobility

The integration of telematics and V2X systems facilitates centralized infrastructure for managing human mobility. While the narrative focuses on safety and efficiency, there is a broader goal of consolidating control over transportation networks and individual vehicles. The extensive data collection enabled by eSIMs and TCUs could be used not just for autonomous driving development but also for monitoring citizens, enforcing policies, and implementing behavioral restrictions.

Reject the Internet of Things

The rise of automotive telematics and V2X technology is part of a larger effort to create a connected ecosystem where vehicles, infrastructure, and smart devices are seamlessly integrated. This integration, driven by eSIM-enabled telematics systems and rural broadband initiatives, allows for unprecedented levels of data collection, surveillance, and control over citizens’ movements. While automakers and governments promote these technologies as necessary for safety and efficiency, the reality is that they are laying the groundwork for comprehensive surveillance networks.

The standardization of telematics systems through international agreements means that these developments are not isolated to individual countries but are part of a global effort to create interoperable smart cities and intelligent transportation systems under the guise of environmental protection. As this trend continues, it is essential for consumers, policymakers, and advocates to reject this type of invasive practice. Paired with the new impaired driver technology mandate that will place cameras in every new car starting in 2026, it is also another reason why consumers should stop buying new cars.