this post was submitted on 11 Oct 2024
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415
Mazda's $10 subscription for remote start sparks backlash after killing open source workaround via DMCA takedown (www.carscoops.com)
submitted 5 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
61 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Mazda recently surprised customers by requiring them to sign up for a subscription in order to keep certain services. Now, notable right-to-repair advocate Louis Rossmann is calling out the brand.

It’s important to clarify that there are two very different types of remote start we’re talking about here. The first type is the one many people are familiar with where you use the key fob to start the vehicle. The second method involves using another device like a smartphone to start the car. In the latter, connected services do the heavy lifting.

Transition to paid services

What is wild is that Mazda used to offer the first option on the fob. Now, it only offers the second kind, where one starts the car via phone through its connected services for a $10 monthly subscription, which comes to $120 a year. Rossmann points out that one individual, Brandon Rorthweiler, developed a workaround in 2023 to enable remote start without Mazda’s subscription fees.

However, according to Ars Technica, Mazda filed a DMCA takedown notice to kill that open-source project. The company claimed it contained code that violated “[Mazda’s] copyright ownership” and used “certain Mazda information, including proprietary API information.”

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 hours ago (4 children)

I was considering a Mazda for my next car. Now I’m not.

I get it but also Mazda is not the only one doing this. They all are. Your only option would be to buy an older car without connected services and hope that you never need another one.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 28 minutes ago* (last edited 27 minutes ago)

I was planning on going electric with my next vehicle and I'm really hoping they force all the Chinese brands to disconnect them for national security or whatever. Just that will make the special import tax worth it.

I'm also kind of pissed at most car companies anyways, they have been dragging their feet when it comes to climate change. At least Byd is trying to offer cheap evs even if it's to fuck with our economy.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

Toyota, Mazda and Honda are the only makes I’ve really ever considered, or ever plan to consider. Of those 3, Honda has not gone that route yet as far as I know. Correct me if I’m wrong.

[–] ayyy 3 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Honda collects and sells your driving history without your consent.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 59 minutes ago

ALL of them do this. Literally all.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Might as well throw Subarus into that list. They're LGBT Toyotas lol

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Toyota tried to push this exact same remote start subscription BS as well so cross them out too

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

It took me 6 months to find a newer truck that had no Internet connectivity at all, and it was a royal PITA.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 hours ago

Yeah Android Auto should be all the connectivity you need.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 hours ago (4 children)

They all are. Your only option would be to buy an older car without connected services and hope that you never need another one.

As much as I'm sure this answer will be hated, Tesla cars don't require a subscription for basic remote services. What comes free is:

  • traffic aware navigation updates
  • OTA software updates mandated by recall
  • phone app access

With the phone app there are zero regular features that require a monthly sub. Free things include:

  • HVAC controls
  • heated seats
  • charging stats and start/stop chargin
  • unlocking all doors, frunk and trunk
  • even changing radio/SiriusXM stations

Tesla does have an optional monthly subscription but that gets you:

  • streaming radio
  • unlimited internet
  • traffic density notations on nav maps
  • satellite view in nav map

However the car operates just fine without any of that optional stuff and therefor there's no mandatory fee for regular functionality.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 18 minutes ago

Oh noes, somebody said something positive about Tesla! Get 'em boys!

Seriously though, I would like to see some legislation that made them offer connectivity free models. All the connectivity crap should be opt-in. If you don't opt in they don't connect the SIM card.

[–] ayyy 1 points 1 hour ago

Those things are free…for now….while they feel like it. There’s nothing stopping them from charging for that stuff when their stock price dips another 20%.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 hours ago

All very true but they'll also charge you (1-time) to software-unlock your seat heaters, motor and battery.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 hours ago

Teslas unlimited Internet package is also super cheap at $100/year the last time I checked. Competitors are multiple times more expensive.