if cars are not connected to the internet how else are they broadcasting the data
I can’t think of any cars that aren’t connected to the web these days. The connection is used for the built in android computer that’s in most dashboards. If it’s not android it’s likely some form of QNX. The connection is usually shared with some sort of connectivity module that’s used for things like emergency services. With connectivity comes the opportunity to harvest data.
Who is paying for the cellular service then?
Why limit ourselves to only one answer or even to the ‘data’ side of cellular service?
You! Most companies offer some sort of data plan to enable an in-vehicle wifi hotspot and/or to enable the android computer in most of them to connect to the interwebs. You might be able to buy limited scope plans for things like “navigation data only.”
You again! Even if you’re not paying explicitly for data you might subscribe to a “control some of your vehicle from your phone” thing or a safety package to do things like call EMS if you’re in an accident. Believe it or not, but some of this functionality is managed via SMS
Both of the above have been getting bundled into MSRPs recently to ‘justify’ jacking up MSRPs and to try to get users hooked.
Finally, the OEM. Nearly everyone delivers software updates over the air. Even though the OEM eats the data costs they’ll gladly pay if it reduces dealership visits.
There’s been quite a bit of news, and a few lawsuits, regarding OEMs collecting and/or selling data. I’m all for privacy, but I still do things like carry a cellphone everywhere. Vehicles shouldn’t mine data on us. Neither should infrastructure (see the surge in cities buying license plate readers), phones, facial recognition, etc. Sometimes it seems like there’s too much focus on a single area when we should really be saying, “our devices, or even devices I don’t own, should not collect data on me without my explicit consent.”
For most OEMs it’s the shark fin (older) or bump (newer) on the roof. It would probably be way easier to pull the fuse.