Considering an app-based diagnostic tool? Consider this.

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Having recently purchased a new battery, and wanting to do a deeper evaluation of its performance, lead to the consideration of a battery monitor gadget.

Such tools can store 30 days or more of data, as well as provide empirical evidence, rather than solely conjecture, about questions relating to the application, such as the suitability of AGM batteries in vehicles with charging systems not designed for them, or systems that don't fully charge batteries, by design.

A wireless data logger, combined with the pocket computer most people carry with them, would seem to be a simple and inexpensive solution, and does seem to be a popular option.

However, the extraneous functions, such as trip logging and location finding, also contained in the apps these tools connect to, didn't smell entirely right and promoted me to pause and do some further digging.

Which returned some interesting reading, in the form of a multi-part forensic deconstruction of the data these apps may collect, how it is collected, and where it is sent.

It is a long, and technical series, so one may wish to skip straight to the summarized piece last on the list, but the TLDR was that these apps logged more than the state of the battery, and that data was sent to other places for collection.

Also revealed is what is probably the original OEM for a popular battery tester, and a popular wireless monitor in question, both sold under various branding.






It should be absolutely no surprise that this kind of thing occurs, in places far wider than a automotive tool, and by parties of every ilk. But it is interesting to see how it works, and what it does, exposed, in factual, objective terms.

Such is the modern connected world we live in, where a practical balance must be struck between utility, convenience, and sense of privacy.

Everyone has their own personal thresholds, and the intent here is to not tread into that territory, but simply to present the facts, so at least informed choices can be made.

Edit: cleaned up some typos.
 
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Thanks for sharing. Nice that they lay it out in a clear format.

Modern cars track everything anyway, even if you "opt out" or whatever. The data still is in the cloud somewhere.

Disable the DCM on your car - your still driving around with a smart phone doing the same thing.

I just assume TPTB have collected everything, and work from there.
 
Thanks for sharing. Nice that they lay it out in a clear format.

Modern cars track everything anyway, even if you "opt out" or whatever. The data still is in the cloud somewhere.

Disable the DCM on your car - your still driving around with a smart phone doing the same thing.

I just assume TPTB have collected everything, and work from there.

All true, but the extent to which we are tracked should be a concern.

There's no reason such a simple tool needs to know where the user is at all times, as well as collecting information on cell towers and wi-fi networks, until that part was removed, and send that information to the other side of the world.

People would find it creepy if someone was physically following them around and watching their day-to-day activities. Shouldn't be any different when online, or when a connected product is used.
 
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