Slate Auto gets serious about privacy for its bare-bones EV pickup
With no embedded modem, the Slate Truck is the antithesis of today's connected cars.
With no embedded modem, the Slate Truck is the antithesis of today's connected cars. This report comes from Ars Technica. The story centres on Slate
Read Full Story at Ars Technica →Why This Matters
The Slate Truck's rejection of embedded modems signals a potential fragmentation in the electric vehicle market, where legacy automakers and EV startups increasingly rely on data-driven revenue models. By prioritizing hardware simplicity over connectivity, Slate is betting that consumers may resist surveillance capitalism in transportation—or that some buyers simply want a vehicle that isn’t tracking their every move.
Background Context
For years, connected car features have been framed as essential to safety and convenience, with automakers embedding modems to enable everything from over-the-air updates to usage-based insurance. Yet as privacy concerns grow—fueled by scandals over data collection in tech and automotive industries—some consumers are seeking alternatives that minimize digital exposure. Regulators, too, are scrutinizing how vehicle data is harvested and monetized.
What Happens Next
If the Slate Truck gains traction, other automakers may test the waters with "dumb" EVs, forcing the industry to confront whether privacy can become a selling point. Competitors will likely monitor its sales closely, and regulators may revisit existing data-sharing rules if the no-modem approach gains momentum. Meanwhile, suppliers of connectivity hardware could face pressure to adapt.
Bigger Picture
This move reflects a broader pushback against the internet-of-things ethos in hardware design, where minimalism and privacy are becoming differentiators. It also underscores how the EV market’s rapid evolution is creating space for niche players to challenge assumptions about what a "smart" vehicle must do—and what it must not.
