speaking as a diesel auto mechanic, these systems exist in the big 4 truck makers as well. The premise for them is useless. no one uses the SoS button, you have towing and repair service you pay for through your company or as part of your owner/operator insurance (probably similar for regular cars too.) everyone hits this button by mistake though, because its next to your sunglass holder and other buttons you actually use.
ive pulled dozens of these things out for customers. For people looking to gut the spyware from their car, The "phone box" as professional drivers call it is separate from the rest of the vehicle and often located in or near the glovebox. it typically contains a riser board you can remove to disable the cellular communications for the vehicle. barring this, it has a SIM card you can physically remove as well.
note that removing either will trigger a dashboard light. you can ignore it so long as you get regular maintenance, or occasionally pop the board back in to verify youre not throwing other codes for the engine/etc...
edit: customer support scumbags for truck companies will often warn you this will "disable" your hands-free calling. it absolutely does not, as handsfree is a feature of the info-tainment and NOT the modem.
In emissions control areas it possibly prevents the vehicle registration from being updated, depending on the light, the policy, and the interpretation by the guy working the booth that day
ive pulled dozens of these things out for customers. For people looking to gut the spyware from their car, The "phone box" as professional drivers call it is separate from the rest of the vehicle and often located in or near the glovebox. it typically contains a riser board you can remove to disable the cellular communications for the vehicle. barring this, it has a SIM card you can physically remove as well.
note that removing either will trigger a dashboard light. you can ignore it so long as you get regular maintenance, or occasionally pop the board back in to verify youre not throwing other codes for the engine/etc...
edit: customer support scumbags for truck companies will often warn you this will "disable" your hands-free calling. it absolutely does not, as handsfree is a feature of the info-tainment and NOT the modem.