Sure but it could just do the default thing because it just wasn't changed.

To be specific, it's not the GPS receiver, it's the fact that the car may be communicating via cell network or satellite, right?

Oh, this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Find_My

You can turn that off, I'm pretty sure.

I tend to agree (and also an EE). Airplane mode isn't a total panacea, though. It just disables the cellular radio. While it also disables the Wifi and Bluetooth, those can always be turned back on, even while Airplane Mode is active. A motivated state actor can absolutely track via Wifi or Bluetooth. (Possibly even NFC, but the range on that is so low that I think it would impossible to do without seeing what is tracking you).

Turning the phone off is the best solution if you want to keep rhe phone on your person. Guaranteed that all possible avenues for tracking is off, and also has the advantage that even if the phone is seized, the latest phone OSes require the passcode before doing anything at all when they first power up. Even the Police are limited in the data they can get off a phone that has just powered up and is asking for the passcode.

Right, but most modern cars have that communication built in, because they use it to update firmware remotely. You can't turn it off even if you wanted to. Many car companies justify it by saying it is needed to give your location to emergency services if you use their alert button.

I would not be surprised if it can only be "turned off."

Correct. Yeah, if you have a newer car with GPS, it will likely also have built in communications to the car company.

There are benefits to older, "dumber" cars. Besides enjoying knobs and buttons

Idk about other brands but with Mazda you can call and get them to deactivate your car's sim. IIRC in Subarus you can just physically unplug the communication unit.

This can probably be argued that places that deny phones, like courts, could be charged with criminal intent against you.

Ask a non-protesting friend or family member to take it with them about their daily routine?

I'm sure my mum would be happy to look after my phone for a day if it meant getting one over on the authorities. And if anyone asks, I'm just a good son who likes to hang out with his mum.

Oh rly? Influence Watch, from the CRC?

Capital Research Center - Wikipedia

(en.m.wikipedia.org)

I didn't know that. interesting for sure though.

so what benefit would the eff gain by going against the hands that feed it? and the detriments?

I mean that's the easy answer but:

1. Documenting and sharing the events is part of the protest
2. You may need it in an emergency.

So first, even here we see foundation money and big tech, not government.

Facebook, Google, etc mostly love net neutrality, tolerate encryption, anf see utility in anonymous internet access, mostly because these things don't interfere with their core advertising businesses, and generally have helped them. I didn't see Comcast and others in the ISP oligopoly on that list, probably because they would not benefit from net neutrality, encryption, and privacy for obvious reasons.

The EFF advocates for particular civil libertarian policies, always has. That does attract certain donors, but not others. They have plenty of diverse and grassroots support too. One day they may have to choose between their corpo donors and their values, but I have yet to see them abandon principles.