diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
index 184077c20d..a09ba171df 100755
--- a/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/controlsd.py
@@ -70,11 +70,9 @@ class Controls:
     params = Params()
     self.is_metric = params.get("IsMetric", encoding='utf8') == "1"
     self.is_ldw_enabled = params.get("IsLdwEnabled", encoding='utf8') == "1"
-    internet_needed = (params.get("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded", encoding='utf8') is not None) and (params.get("DisableUpdates") != b"1")
     community_feature_toggle = params.get("CommunityFeaturesToggle", encoding='utf8') == "1"
     openpilot_enabled_toggle = params.get("OpenpilotEnabledToggle", encoding='utf8') == "1"
-    passive = params.get("Passive", encoding='utf8') == "1" or \
-              internet_needed or not openpilot_enabled_toggle
+    passive = params.get("Passive", encoding='utf8') == "1" or not openpilot_enabled_toggle
 
     # detect sound card presence and ensure successful init
     sounds_available = HARDWARE.get_sound_card_online()
@@ -133,8 +131,6 @@ class Controls:
 
     if not sounds_available:
       self.events.add(EventName.soundsUnavailable, static=True)
-    if internet_needed:
-      self.events.add(EventName.internetConnectivityNeeded, static=True)
     if community_feature_disallowed:
       self.events.add(EventName.communityFeatureDisallowed, static=True)
     if not car_recognized:
diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/lib/alerts_offroad.json b/selfdrive/controls/lib/alerts_offroad.json
index a47eb8c0a2..79642ccef2 100644
--- a/selfdrive/controls/lib/alerts_offroad.json
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/lib/alerts_offroad.json
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     "_comment": "Append the number of days at the end of the text"
   },
   "Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded": {
-    "text": "Connect to internet to check for updates. openpilot won't engage until it connects to internet to check for updates.",
+    "text": "Connect to internet to check for updates. openpilot won't start until it connects to internet to check for updates.",
     "severity": 1
   },
   "Offroad_UpdateFailed": {
diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/lib/events.py b/selfdrive/controls/lib/events.py
index a8f1273e10..641cd56182 100644
--- a/selfdrive/controls/lib/events.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/lib/events.py
@@ -211,6 +211,8 @@ def wrong_car_mode_alert(CP: car.CarParams, sm: messaging.SubMaster, metric: boo
 EVENTS: Dict[int, Dict[str, Union[Alert, Callable[[Any, messaging.SubMaster, bool], Alert]]]] = {
   # ********** events with no alerts **********
 
+  EventName.internetConnectivityNeeded: {},
+
   # ********** events only containing alerts displayed in all states **********
 
   EventName.debugAlert: {
@@ -743,13 +745,6 @@ EVENTS: Dict[int, Dict[str, Union[Alert, Callable[[Any, messaging.SubMaster, boo
       Priority.LOW, VisualAlert.none, AudibleAlert.chimeError, .4, 2., 3.),
   },
 
-  # TODO: this is unclear, update check only happens offroad
-  EventName.internetConnectivityNeeded: {
-    ET.PERMANENT: NormalPermanentAlert("Connect to Internet", "An Update Check Is Required to Engage"),
-    ET.NO_ENTRY: NoEntryAlert("Connect to Internet",
-                              audible_alert=AudibleAlert.chimeDisengage),
-  },
-
   EventName.lowSpeedLockout: {
     ET.PERMANENT: Alert(
       "Cruise Fault: Restart the car to engage",
diff --git a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
index 843f9fa1e3..2b0bf3f24a 100755
--- a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
+++ b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
@@ -341,6 +341,7 @@ def thermald_thread():
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded", False)
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeededPrompt", False)
 
+    startup_conditions["up_to_date"] = params.get("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded") is None or params.get("DisableUpdates") == b"1"
     startup_conditions["not_uninstalling"] = not params.get("DoUninstall") == b"1"
     startup_conditions["accepted_terms"] = params.get("HasAcceptedTerms") == terms_version