TSS data & images vs. Connected Services data opt-out & disablement

Hi all, new member, long time Toyota owner of many models.

I see the thread "how to disable the DCM/Telematics unit in the car", and the references to opting out of the connected services mentioned, however, I don't see mention of the Toyota Safety Sense data. Some cursory searches haven't turned up anything for me either (could be user error though).

Is "DCM/Telematics" the same as the TSS 3.0 (current version)?

Is "DCM/Telematics" including images captured by the vehicles cameras/sensors?

And either way, end of page 9 in the manual states:

"Image information recorded by the
vehicle can be erased by your
Toyota dealer.

The image recording function can
be disabled. However, if the function
is disabled, data from when systems
operate will not be available.

If you wish to stop the collection of
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 data by the
Toyota servers for the purpose of
research and development and pro-
vision to individual services, contact
your Toyota dealer."

Has anyone successfully pursued these options that go beyond head unit & Toyota App opt-out capabilities? My dealer inquiries so far haven't been productive; seems the representatives I'm reaching believe the App opt-out is all that exists despite referring them the manual that shows TSS data is not the same as the rest of the connected services data.

Anyone who has, I'm curious to know if it is all onboard dealer (only) configuration changes once connected via OBDII or if they are doing it on the back-end cloud side, or both even?

Thanks

 

Update: I have confirmed this data set is NOT the same as the Toyota Connected Services data set. It is collected and transmitted back to Toyota regardless of never signing up for the Toyota Connect / Connected Services (trial or otherwise).

Good news: my regular Toyota Service Center was kind enough to do a lot of legwork to get to the bottom of it with the help of their Toyota Corporate support resources. As stated, not the same as Connected Services. TSS data & front camera images are captured, stored and transmitted back to Toyota. It also CAN be disabled and they eventually learned there are 2 procedures required to execute (one to disable collection/transmission of data / images, one to delete any existing data / images). They are unwilling to share the detail of the procedures as they are not user-accessible and can/should only be performed by Toyota Service Centers.

Bad news: Despite referencing the Federal Trade Commission's action against GM / OnStar (take away, may not fit classic 'personally identifiable' data definitions, this kind of vehicle data is being used exactly that way), Toyota Corporate Privacy nor my local Toyota Cares customer advocacy teams view this as warranty or data-privacy opt-out (read: free of charge to manage). It is currently viewed as a vehicle customization, which service departments should charge for. My regular Toyota service center want about $425 for the time and work (apparently deletion can take upwards of 90 minutes).

I am exploring other avenues of achieving disablement & deletion of data and considering engaging the FTC based on their actions against GM (granted I am unaware of and do not believe there is any public knowledge of Toyota's same/similar use or actions at this time). See: FTC Takes Action Against General Motors for Sharing Drivers’ Precise Location and Driving Behavior Data Without Consent | Federal Trade Commission