Now you know which brands to avoid!
I agree, though, all our devices are becoming hostile to us.
I'd recommend physically removing the entire transmitter (the electronics can be removed with a chisel), but if you're trying to fry the transmitter, don't cut the antenna; that leaves a undamaged but low gain transmitter a la [0] (though probably not powerful enough to detect outside the vehicle). Instead, short the antenna to a power rail (or ground, but V!=0 is more likely to damage it) to fry the transmitter and also keep it from moving the antenna voltage enough to transmit anything.
0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQF_K9MqpA (at 17:06)
My guess is the manufacturer wants to upload "diagnostic" data, they would just use that same SIM card. And you probably can't disable it because it's a legal requirement (or, maybe you can on your Volvo?).
Maybe one could just put a prepaid SIM card with zero bandwidth quota/zero call credits, because those are still able to call the emergency number.
Interestingly the automatic "call the cops" function means hit and runs would be a lot harder, since the cops would get a timestamp of an accident, and a phone number as a car identifier...
>The in-vehicle system has a valid SIM that enables the provision of the eCall service. It is to be configured only for making an eCall, or it could also be used, in addition and as optional, for commercial service provision. In the first case, the IVS will be in a dormant mode (not traceable and active only in case of eCall triggering)
https://eena.org/wp-content/uploads/eCall-and-open-issues-20...