All new cars in the EU have to have always online SOS connectivity so I don't think anyone can charge for it

" eCall is a system used in vehicles across the EU which automatically makes a free 112 emergency call if your vehicle is involved in a serious road accident. You can also activate eCall manually by pushing a button. "

"Compulsory for new car models

If you buy a new model of car, approved for manufacture after 31 March 2018, it must have the 112-based eCall system installed."

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/security-and-em...

Okay, that's another way of saying everyone pays for it through higher prices or taxes or whatever, and you can't opt out of it.

That applies to all state mandated stuff I suppose. But it does mean the system can benefit from an economy of scale.

Wait until you hear about seat belts.

Seat belts don’t spy on me.

Seat occupancy sensor for the airbag sure does, it even weighs your ass.

The occupancy sensor isn’t the problem — the problem is the mandatory cellular uplink that shares the data with the manufacturer.

It can be disabled - though by the manufacturer only -, as expressed in the regulation.