No mention of the surest counter-strategy: Drive a car that is just too old to have offending technology.
It appears that legislation is the only way to restrain nefarious parties from inflicting the data collection upon us.
The legislation has to codify the definition of the primary function of a consumable object (a car, a smart TV, a smart whatever), and any technology that does not directly assist the consumable object to fulfil its primary function, should be a strict and legally enforceable opt-in (or, better, banned) with the object manufacturer being legally held accountable for a failure to disclose the dodgy data collection or similar functions. Hefty fines, then more fines for failing to comply.
It is a windy road and a uphill journey ahead of us, and it will not be easy to counteract the misdeeds of the middle level management.
I feel a lot safter (and you are) in a 2024 vehicle VS a 1980s vehicle.
Always on headlights, side airbags, better impact ratings and engineering, etc.
You don’t have to go back that far for less tech or tracking.
Good luck finding an authorised mechanic who can work without OBD-II or other computerized diagnostics.
(Inspections? Sure. But inspections are by no means universally required.)
For example: Ohio is broadly this way, with the exception of some counties near Cleveland that require emissions testing for vehicles that are between 4 and 25 years old.
To extend that example: For most of Ohio, anyone can hire anyone else to work on their their cars (or DIY) without any practical third-party concern about things like "authorization" or "certification."
Or "geniune parts" or "insurance" or "liability" or "loss of use" or "damages" or "employment-related injuries". Just sign this waiver; payment in cash only, up front...
I just take my car to the [both "unauthorized" and "uncertified"] shop when that is necessary. My mechanic looks at it and either generates an estimate while I wait or he calls me later -- depending on how busy they are.
I then either agree to have him do the work, or I don't.
If I do, then: He gets it done, and then I pay the bill, and then I drive my car home.
It's a very straight-forward kind of transaction.
Congratulations to y'all from Bizarro-World.
OBD-II, electronic port fuel injection, decent crash structures and side airbags, often better suspension design, no DI carbon fouling, decent mileage. Cheap parts and nearly no remaining depreciation.