diff --git a/common/params.h b/common/params.h
index fd072be102..b91ba4553d 100644
--- a/common/params.h
+++ b/common/params.h
@@ -21,12 +21,13 @@ enum ParamKeyFlag {
 };
 
 enum ParamKeyType {
-  STRING = 0,
+  STRING = 0, // must be utf-8 decodable
   BOOL = 1,
   INT = 2,
   FLOAT = 3,
   TIME = 4, // ISO 8601
-  JSON = 5
+  JSON = 5,
+  BYTES = 6
 };
 
 struct ParamKeyAttributes {
diff --git a/common/params_keys.h b/common/params_keys.h
index b9503a9fc6..d3b75e4abd 100644
--- a/common/params_keys.h
+++ b/common/params_keys.h
@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@ inline static std::unordered_map<std::string, ParamKeyAttributes> keys = {
     {"AthenadUploadQueue", {PERSISTENT, JSON}},
     {"AthenadRecentlyViewedRoutes", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
     {"BootCount", {PERSISTENT, INT}},
-    {"CalibrationParams", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
+    {"CalibrationParams", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
     {"CameraDebugExpGain", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
     {"CameraDebugExpTime", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
     {"CarBatteryCapacity", {PERSISTENT, INT}},
-    {"CarParams", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_ONROAD_TRANSITION, STRING}},
-    {"CarParamsCache", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
-    {"CarParamsPersistent", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
-    {"CarParamsPrevRoute", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
+    {"CarParams", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_ONROAD_TRANSITION, BYTES}},
+    {"CarParamsCache", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, BYTES}},
+    {"CarParamsPersistent", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
+    {"CarParamsPrevRoute", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
     {"CompletedTrainingVersion", {PERSISTENT, STRING, "0"}},
     {"ControlsReady", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_ONROAD_TRANSITION, BOOL}},
     {"CurrentBootlog", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
@@ -74,11 +74,11 @@ inline static std::unordered_map<std::string, ParamKeyAttributes> keys = {
     {"LastPowerDropDetected", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
     {"LastUpdateException", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
     {"LastUpdateTime", {PERSISTENT, TIME}},
-    {"LiveDelay", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
-    {"LiveParameters", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
-    {"LiveParametersV2", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
-    {"LiveTorqueParameters", {PERSISTENT | DONT_LOG, STRING}},
-    {"LocationFilterInitialState", {PERSISTENT, STRING}},
+    {"LiveDelay", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
+    {"LiveParameters", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
+    {"LiveParametersV2", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
+    {"LiveTorqueParameters", {PERSISTENT | DONT_LOG, BYTES}},
+    {"LocationFilterInitialState", {PERSISTENT, BYTES}},
     {"LongitudinalManeuverMode", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_OFFROAD_TRANSITION, BOOL}},
     {"LongitudinalPersonality", {PERSISTENT, INT, std::to_string(static_cast<int>(cereal::LongitudinalPersonality::STANDARD))}},
     {"NetworkMetered", {PERSISTENT, BOOL}},
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ inline static std::unordered_map<std::string, ParamKeyAttributes> keys = {
     {"OpenpilotEnabledToggle", {PERSISTENT, BOOL, "1"}},
     {"PandaHeartbeatLost", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_OFFROAD_TRANSITION, BOOL}},
     {"PandaSomResetTriggered", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START | CLEAR_ON_OFFROAD_TRANSITION, BOOL}},
-    {"PandaSignatures", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, STRING}},
+    {"PandaSignatures", {CLEAR_ON_MANAGER_START, BYTES}},
     {"PrimeType", {PERSISTENT, INT}},
     {"RecordAudio", {PERSISTENT, BOOL}},
     {"RecordFront", {PERSISTENT, BOOL}},
diff --git a/common/params_pyx.pyx b/common/params_pyx.pyx
index 3ce70f4e8a..9956da81cf 100644
--- a/common/params_pyx.pyx
+++ b/common/params_pyx.pyx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ cdef extern from "common/params.h":
     FLOAT
     TIME
     JSON
+    BYTES
 
   cdef cppclass c_Params "Params":
     c_Params(string) except + nogil
@@ -72,26 +73,7 @@ cdef class Params:
       raise UnknownKeyName(key)
     return key
 
-  def cast(self, value, t, default):
-    try:
-      if t == STRING:
-        return value
-      elif t == BOOL:
-        return value == b"1"
-      elif t == INT:
-        return int(value)
-      elif t == FLOAT:
-        return float(value)
-      elif t == TIME:
-        return datetime.datetime.fromisoformat(value)
-      elif t == JSON:
-        return json.loads(value)
-      else:
-        return default
-    except (TypeError, ValueError):
-      return default
-
-  def get(self, key, bool block=False, encoding=None, default=None):
+  def get(self, key, bool block=False, default=None):
     cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
     cdef ParamKeyType t = self.p.getKeyType(ensure_bytes(key))
     cdef string val
@@ -106,7 +88,25 @@ cdef class Params:
       else:
         return default
 
-    return self.cast(val if encoding is None else val.decode(encoding), t, default)
+    try:
+      if t == STRING:
+        return val.decode("utf-8")
+      elif t == BOOL:
+        return val == b"1"
+      elif t == INT:
+        return int(val)
+      elif t == FLOAT:
+        return float(val)
+      elif t == TIME:
+        return datetime.datetime.fromisoformat(val.decode("utf-8"))
+      elif t == JSON:
+        return json.loads(val)
+      elif t == BYTES:
+        return val
+      else:
+        return default
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+      return default
 
   def get_bool(self, key, bool block=False):
     cdef string k = self.check_key(key)
diff --git a/common/tests/test_params.py b/common/tests/test_params.py
index 738224a2da..ff670f1b15 100644
--- a/common/tests/test_params.py
+++ b/common/tests/test_params.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class TestParams:
 
   def test_params_put_and_get(self):
     self.params.put("DongleId", "cb38263377b873ee")
-    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == b"cb38263377b873ee"
+    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == "cb38263377b873ee"
 
   def test_params_non_ascii(self):
     st = b"\xe1\x90\xff"
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ class TestParams:
   def test_params_two_things(self):
     self.params.put("DongleId", "bob")
     self.params.put("AthenadPid", "123")
-    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == b"bob"
-    assert self.params.get("AthenadPid") == b"123"
+    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == "bob"
+    assert self.params.get("AthenadPid") == "123"
 
   def test_params_get_block(self):
     def _delayed_writer():
@@ -131,14 +131,14 @@ class TestParams:
     # time
     now = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.UTC)
     self.params.put("InstallDate", str(now))
-    assert self.params.get("InstallDate", encoding="utf-8") == now
+    assert self.params.get("InstallDate") == now
 
   def test_params_get_default(self):
     now = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.UTC)
     self.params.remove("InstallDate")
-    assert self.params.get("InstallDate", encoding="utf-8") is None
-    assert self.params.get("InstallDate", encoding="utf-8", default=now) == now
+    assert self.params.get("InstallDate") is None
+    assert self.params.get("InstallDate", default=now) == now
 
     self.params.put("BootCount", "1xx1")
-    assert self.params.get("BootCount", encoding="utf-8") is None
-    assert self.params.get("BootCount", encoding="utf-8", default=1441) == 1441
+    assert self.params.get("BootCount") is None
+    assert self.params.get("BootCount", default=1441) == 1441
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/card.py b/selfdrive/car/card.py
index 3339096307..27b04ae65e 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/card.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/card.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class Car:
       except Exception:
         pass
 
-      secoc_key = self.params.get("SecOCKey", encoding='utf8')
+      secoc_key = self.params.get("SecOCKey")
       if secoc_key is not None:
         saved_secoc_key = bytes.fromhex(secoc_key.strip())
         if len(saved_secoc_key) == 16:
diff --git a/selfdrive/selfdrived/tests/test_alerts.py b/selfdrive/selfdrived/tests/test_alerts.py
index 80bbf4f189..c971806999 100644
--- a/selfdrive/selfdrived/tests/test_alerts.py
+++ b/selfdrive/selfdrived/tests/test_alerts.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ class TestAlerts:
       alert = copy.copy(self.offroad_alerts[a])
       set_offroad_alert(a, True)
       alert['extra'] = ''
-      assert alert == params.get(a, encoding='utf8')
+      assert alert == params.get(a)
 
       # then delete it
       set_offroad_alert(a, False)
@@ -125,6 +125,6 @@ class TestAlerts:
       alert = self.offroad_alerts[a]
       set_offroad_alert(a, True, extra_text="a"*i)
 
-      written_alert = params.get(a, encoding='utf8')
+      written_alert = params.get(a)
       assert "a"*i == written_alert['extra']
       assert alert["text"] == written_alert['text']
diff --git a/selfdrive/test/test_onroad.py b/selfdrive/test/test_onroad.py
index f98e3bd88c..cd702377e7 100644
--- a/selfdrive/test/test_onroad.py
+++ b/selfdrive/test/test_onroad.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class TestOnroad:
         while not sm.seen['carState']:
           sm.update(1000)
 
-      route = params.get("CurrentRoute", encoding="utf-8")
+      route = params.get("CurrentRoute")
       assert route is not None
 
       segs = list(Path(Paths.log_root()).glob(f"{route}--*"))
diff --git a/selfdrive/test/test_updated.py b/selfdrive/test/test_updated.py
index ccd73ccc90..95365640f5 100644
--- a/selfdrive/test/test_updated.py
+++ b/selfdrive/test/test_updated.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class TestUpdated:
     ret = None
     start_time = time.monotonic()
     while ret is None:
-      ret = self.params.get(key, encoding='utf8')
+      ret = self.params.get(key)
       if time.monotonic() - start_time > timeout:
         break
       time.sleep(0.01)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class TestUpdated:
 
   def _check_update_state(self, update_available):
     # make sure LastUpdateTime is recent
-    last_update_time = self._read_param("LastUpdateTime", encoding="utf-8")
+    last_update_time = self._read_param("LastUpdateTime")
     td = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.UTC).replace(tzinfo=None) - last_update_time
     assert td.total_seconds() < 10
     self.params.remove("LastUpdateTime")
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/home.py b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/home.py
index ceff940b79..f102481c3a 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/home.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/home.py
@@ -210,5 +210,5 @@ class HomeLayout(Widget):
 
   def _get_version_text(self) -> str:
     brand = "openpilot"
-    description = self.params.get("UpdaterCurrentDescription", encoding='utf-8')
+    description = self.params.get("UpdaterCurrentDescription")
     return f"{brand} {description}" if description else brand
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/device.py b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/device.py
index 076f8d2994..fcabd10a22 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/device.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/device.py
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ class DeviceLayout(Widget):
     self._scroller = Scroller(items, line_separator=True, spacing=0)
 
   def _initialize_items(self):
-    dongle_id = self._params.get("DongleId", encoding="utf-8") or "N/A"
-    serial = self._params.get("HardwareSerial") or "N/A"
+    dongle_id = self._params.get("DongleId", default="N/A")
+    serial = self._params.get("HardwareSerial", default="N/A")
 
     items = [
       text_item("Dongle ID", dongle_id),
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/firehose.py b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/firehose.py
index dcd8577f8a..5f5b9792a7 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/firehose.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/firehose.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class FirehoseLayout(Widget):
     self.last_update_time = 0
 
   def _get_segment_count(self) -> int:
-    stats = self.params.get(self.PARAM_KEY, encoding='utf8')
+    stats = self.params.get(self.PARAM_KEY)
     if not stats:
       return 0
     try:
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class FirehoseLayout(Widget):
 
   def _fetch_firehose_stats(self):
     try:
-      dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8')
+      dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId")
       if not dongle_id or dongle_id == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID:
         return
       identity_token = Api(dongle_id).get_token()
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/toggles.py b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/toggles.py
index 5224763e19..1337e29f92 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/toggles.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/layouts/settings/toggles.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class TogglesLayout(Widget):
         buttons=["Aggressive", "Standard", "Relaxed"],
         button_width=255,
         callback=self._set_longitudinal_personality,
-        selected_index=int(self._params.get("LongitudinalPersonality") or 0),
+        selected_index=self._params.get("LongitudinalPersonality", default=0),
         icon="speed_limit.png"
       ),
       toggle_item(
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/lib/prime_state.py b/selfdrive/ui/lib/prime_state.py
index 6b87540f65..30eb99a194 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/lib/prime_state.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/lib/prime_state.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class PrimeState:
     self.start()
 
   def _load_initial_state(self) -> PrimeType:
-    prime_type_str = os.getenv("PRIME_TYPE") or self._params.get("PrimeType", encoding='utf8')
+    prime_type_str = os.getenv("PRIME_TYPE") or self._params.get("PrimeType")
     try:
       if prime_type_str is not None:
         return PrimeType(int(prime_type_str))
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class PrimeState:
     return PrimeType.UNKNOWN
 
   def _fetch_prime_status(self) -> None:
-    dongle_id = self._params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8')
+    dongle_id = self._params.get("DongleId")
     if not dongle_id or dongle_id == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID:
       return
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/widgets/offroad_alerts.py b/selfdrive/ui/widgets/offroad_alerts.py
index aedae1c005..f54bd9116c 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/widgets/offroad_alerts.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/widgets/offroad_alerts.py
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ class UpdateAlert(AbstractAlert):
   def refresh(self) -> bool:
     update_available: bool = self.params.get_bool("UpdateAvailable")
     if update_available:
-      self.release_notes = self.params.get("UpdaterNewReleaseNotes", encoding='utf-8')
+      self.release_notes = self.params.get("UpdaterNewReleaseNotes")
       self._cached_content_height = 0
 
     return update_available
diff --git a/selfdrive/ui/widgets/pairing_dialog.py b/selfdrive/ui/widgets/pairing_dialog.py
index c48b2c65de..32b7c91c4d 100644
--- a/selfdrive/ui/widgets/pairing_dialog.py
+++ b/selfdrive/ui/widgets/pairing_dialog.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class PairingDialog:
 
   def _get_pairing_url(self) -> str:
     try:
-      dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8') or ""
+      dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId", default="")
       token = Api(dongle_id).get_token()
     except Exception as e:
       cloudlog.warning(f"Failed to get pairing token: {e}")
diff --git a/system/athena/athenad.py b/system/athena/athenad.py
index e8e2985fa7..71fde0591e 100755
--- a/system/athena/athenad.py
+++ b/system/athena/athenad.py
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ def setRouteViewed(route: str) -> dict[str, int | str]:
   # maintain a list of the last 10 routes viewed in connect
   params = Params()
 
-  r = params.get("AthenadRecentlyViewedRoutes", encoding="utf8")
+  r = params.get("AthenadRecentlyViewedRoutes")
   routes = [] if r is None else r.split(",")
   routes.append(route)
 
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ def startLocalProxy(global_end_event: threading.Event, remote_ws_uri: str, local
 
     cloudlog.debug("athena.startLocalProxy.starting")
 
-    dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId").decode('utf8')
+    dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId")
     identity_token = Api(dongle_id).get_token()
     ws = create_connection(remote_ws_uri,
                            cookie="jwt=" + identity_token,
@@ -532,12 +532,12 @@ def getPublicKey() -> str | None:
 
 @dispatcher.add_method
 def getSshAuthorizedKeys() -> str:
-  return Params().get("GithubSshKeys", encoding='utf8') or ''
+  return cast(str, Params().get("GithubSshKeys", default=""))
 
 
 @dispatcher.add_method
 def getGithubUsername() -> str:
-  return Params().get("GithubUsername", encoding='utf8') or ''
+  return cast(str, Params().get("GithubUsername", default=""))
 
 @dispatcher.add_method
 def getSimInfo():
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@ def main(exit_event: threading.Event = None):
     cloudlog.exception("failed to set core affinity")
 
   params = Params()
-  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8')
+  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId")
   UploadQueueCache.initialize(upload_queue)
 
   ws_uri = ATHENA_HOST + "/ws/v2/" + dongle_id
diff --git a/system/athena/manage_athenad.py b/system/athena/manage_athenad.py
index f5ab817206..ee63606b66 100755
--- a/system/athena/manage_athenad.py
+++ b/system/athena/manage_athenad.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ ATHENA_MGR_PID_PARAM = "AthenadPid"
 
 def main():
   params = Params()
-  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId").decode('utf-8')
+  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId")
   build_metadata = get_build_metadata()
 
   cloudlog.bind_global(dongle_id=dongle_id,
diff --git a/system/athena/registration.py b/system/athena/registration.py
index 14c42a3e0f..80c087188d 100755
--- a/system/athena/registration.py
+++ b/system/athena/registration.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from openpilot.common.swaglog import cloudlog
 UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID = "UnregisteredDevice"
 
 def is_registered_device() -> bool:
-  dongle = Params().get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8')
+  dongle = Params().get("DongleId")
   return dongle not in (None, UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID)
 
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def register(show_spinner=False) -> str | None:
   """
   params = Params()
 
-  dongle_id: str | None = params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8')
+  dongle_id: str | None = params.get("DongleId")
   if dongle_id is None and Path(Paths.persist_root()+"/comma/dongle_id").is_file():
     # not all devices will have this; added early in comma 3X production (2/28/24)
     with open(Paths.persist_root()+"/comma/dongle_id") as f:
diff --git a/system/athena/tests/test_athenad_ping.py b/system/athena/tests/test_athenad_ping.py
index 025df7d614..8ff1e37a5d 100644
--- a/system/athena/tests/test_athenad_ping.py
+++ b/system/athena/tests/test_athenad_ping.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class TestAthenadPing:
   exit_event: threading.Event
 
   def _get_ping_time(self) -> str | None:
-    return cast(str | None, self.params.get("LastAthenaPingTime", encoding="utf-8"))
+    return cast(str | None, self.params.get("LastAthenaPingTime"))
 
   def _clear_ping_time(self) -> None:
     self.params.remove("LastAthenaPingTime")
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class TestAthenadPing:
 
   def setup_method(self) -> None:
     self.params = Params()
-    self.dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId", encoding="utf-8")
+    self.dongle_id = self.params.get("DongleId")
 
     wifi_radio(True)
     self._clear_ping_time()
diff --git a/system/athena/tests/test_registration.py b/system/athena/tests/test_registration.py
index c1dabb78ec..c20722659a 100644
--- a/system/athena/tests/test_registration.py
+++ b/system/athena/tests/test_registration.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class TestRegistration:
     dongle = register()
     assert m.call_count == 0
     assert dongle == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID
-    assert self.params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8') == dongle
+    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == dongle
 
   def test_missing_cache(self, mocker):
     # keys exist but no dongle id
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class TestRegistration:
     # call again, shouldn't hit the API this time
     assert register() == dongle
     assert m.call_count == 1
-    assert self.params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8') == dongle
+    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == dongle
 
   def test_unregistered(self, mocker):
     # keys exist, but unregistered
@@ -73,4 +73,4 @@ class TestRegistration:
     dongle = register()
     assert m.call_count == 1
     assert dongle == UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID
-    assert self.params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8') == dongle
+    assert self.params.get("DongleId") == dongle
diff --git a/system/hardware/hardwared.py b/system/hardware/hardwared.py
index a5b50a38de..e1afdf38bb 100755
--- a/system/hardware/hardwared.py
+++ b/system/hardware/hardwared.py
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ def hardware_thread(end_event, hw_queue) -> None:
 
     last_ping = params.get("LastAthenaPingTime")
     if last_ping is not None:
-      msg.deviceState.lastAthenaPingTime = int(last_ping)
+      msg.deviceState.lastAthenaPingTime = last_ping
 
     msg.deviceState.thermalStatus = thermal_status
     pm.send("deviceState", msg)
diff --git a/system/loggerd/uploader.py b/system/loggerd/uploader.py
index 6e6df6114e..38fc0e9209 100755
--- a/system/loggerd/uploader.py
+++ b/system/loggerd/uploader.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class Uploader:
     self.immediate_priority = {"qlog": 0, "qlog.zst": 0, "qcamera.ts": 1}
 
   def list_upload_files(self, metered: bool) -> Iterator[tuple[str, str, str]]:
-    r = self.params.get("AthenadRecentlyViewedRoutes", encoding="utf8")
+    r = self.params.get("AthenadRecentlyViewedRoutes")
     requested_routes = [] if r is None else [route for route in r.split(",") if route]
 
     for logdir in listdir_by_creation(self.root):
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ def main(exit_event: threading.Event = None) -> None:
   clear_locks(Paths.log_root())
 
   params = Params()
-  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8')
+  dongle_id = params.get("DongleId")
 
   if dongle_id is None:
     cloudlog.info("uploader missing dongle_id")
diff --git a/system/manager/manager.py b/system/manager/manager.py
index 66d770d8bc..25e58000b6 100755
--- a/system/manager/manager.py
+++ b/system/manager/manager.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def manager_thread() -> None:
   params = Params()
 
   ignore: list[str] = []
-  if params.get("DongleId", encoding='utf8') in (None, UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID):
+  if params.get("DongleId") in (None, UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID):
     ignore += ["manage_athenad", "uploader"]
   if os.getenv("NOBOARD") is not None:
     ignore.append("pandad")
diff --git a/system/manager/process.py b/system/manager/process.py
index 0ebddae049..c83cc46e0d 100644
--- a/system/manager/process.py
+++ b/system/manager/process.py
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ class DaemonProcess(ManagerProcess):
     if self.params is None:
       self.params = Params()
 
-    pid = self.params.get(self.param_name, encoding='utf-8')
+    pid = self.params.get(self.param_name)
     if pid is not None:
       try:
         os.kill(int(pid), 0)
diff --git a/system/sentry.py b/system/sentry.py
index 63bf789b6f..47d64ba0fd 100644
--- a/system/sentry.py
+++ b/system/sentry.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def init(project: SentryProject) -> bool:
     return False
 
   env = "release" if build_metadata.tested_channel else "master"
-  dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8')
+  dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId")
 
   integrations = []
   if project == SentryProject.SELFDRIVE:
diff --git a/system/statsd.py b/system/statsd.py
index b8a7f2c661..d60064fc91 100755
--- a/system/statsd.py
+++ b/system/statsd.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class StatLog:
 
 
 def main() -> NoReturn:
-  dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId", encoding='utf-8')
+  dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId")
   def get_influxdb_line(measurement: str, value: float | dict[str, float],  timestamp: datetime, tags: dict) -> str:
     res = f"{measurement}"
     for k, v in tags.items():
diff --git a/system/ubloxd/pigeond.py b/system/ubloxd/pigeond.py
index 50623951f3..e458a9d65f 100755
--- a/system/ubloxd/pigeond.py
+++ b/system/ubloxd/pigeond.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def add_ubx_checksum(msg: bytes) -> bytes:
     B = (B + A) % 256
   return msg + bytes([A, B])
 
-def get_assistnow_messages(token: bytes) -> list[bytes]:
+def get_assistnow_messages(token: str) -> list[bytes]:
   # make request
   # TODO: implement adding the last known location
   r = requests.get("https://online-live2.services.u-blox.com/GetOnlineData.ashx", params=urllib.parse.urlencode({
diff --git a/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py b/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
index 75d1bdbfd3..e4ee224d53 100644
--- a/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
+++ b/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class WifiManager:
     # Set tethering ssid as "weedle" + first 4 characters of a dongle id
     self._tethering_ssid = "weedle"
     if Params is not None:
-      dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId", encoding="utf-8")
+      dongle_id = Params().get("DongleId")
       if dongle_id:
         self._tethering_ssid += "-" + dongle_id[:4]
     self.running: bool = True
diff --git a/system/updated/tests/test_base.py b/system/updated/tests/test_base.py
index 0eb2196a23..699a0f0bd3 100644
--- a/system/updated/tests/test_base.py
+++ b/system/updated/tests/test_base.py
@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@ class TestBaseUpdate:
 
 class ParamsBaseUpdateTest(TestBaseUpdate):
   def _test_finalized_update(self, branch, version, agnos_version, release_notes):
-    assert self.params.get("UpdaterNewDescription", encoding="utf-8").startswith(f"{version} / {branch}")
-    assert self.params.get("UpdaterNewReleaseNotes", encoding="utf-8") == f"{release_notes}\n"
+    assert self.params.get("UpdaterNewDescription").startswith(f"{version} / {branch}")
+    assert self.params.get("UpdaterNewReleaseNotes") == f"{release_notes}\n"
     super()._test_finalized_update(branch, version, agnos_version, release_notes)
 
   def send_check_for_updates_signal(self, updated: ManagerProcess):
@@ -143,16 +143,16 @@ class ParamsBaseUpdateTest(TestBaseUpdate):
     updated.signal(signal.SIGHUP.value)
 
   def _test_params(self, branch, fetch_available, update_available):
-    assert self.params.get("UpdaterTargetBranch", encoding="utf-8") == branch
+    assert self.params.get("UpdaterTargetBranch") == branch
     assert self.params.get_bool("UpdaterFetchAvailable") == fetch_available
     assert self.params.get_bool("UpdateAvailable") == update_available
 
   def wait_for_idle(self):
-    self.wait_for_condition(lambda: self.params.get("UpdaterState", encoding="utf-8") == "idle")
+    self.wait_for_condition(lambda: self.params.get("UpdaterState") == "idle")
 
   def wait_for_failed(self):
-    self.wait_for_condition(lambda: self.params.get("UpdateFailedCount", encoding="utf-8") is not None and \
-                                              self.params.get("UpdateFailedCount", encoding="utf-8") > 0)
+    self.wait_for_condition(lambda: self.params.get("UpdateFailedCount") is not None and \
+                                              self.params.get("UpdateFailedCount") > 0)
 
   def wait_for_fetch_available(self):
     self.wait_for_condition(lambda: self.params.get_bool("UpdaterFetchAvailable"))
diff --git a/system/updated/updated.py b/system/updated/updated.py
index 21ab17cca4..992e7c2269 100755
--- a/system/updated/updated.py
+++ b/system/updated/updated.py
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ class Updater:
 
   @property
   def target_branch(self) -> str:
-    b: str | None = self.params.get("UpdaterTargetBranch", encoding='utf-8')
+    b: str | None = self.params.get("UpdaterTargetBranch")
     if b is None:
       b = self.get_branch(BASEDIR)
     return b
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ class Updater:
     if update_success:
       write_time_to_param(self.params, "LastUpdateTime")
     else:
-      t = self.params.get("LastUpdateTime", encoding="utf8")
+      t = self.params.get("LastUpdateTime")
       if t is not None:
         last_update = t
 
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     if Path(os.path.join(STAGING_ROOT, "old_openpilot")).is_dir():
       cloudlog.event("update installed")
 
-    if not params.get("InstallDate", encoding="utf-8"):
+    if not params.get("InstallDate"):
       t = datetime.datetime.now(datetime.UTC).replace(tzinfo=None).isoformat()
       params.put("InstallDate", t.encode('utf8'))
 
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ def main() -> None:
         updater.check_for_update()
 
         # download update
-        last_fetch = params.get("UpdaterLastFetchTime", encoding="utf8")
+        last_fetch = params.get("UpdaterLastFetchTime")
         timed_out = last_fetch is None or (datetime.datetime.now(datetime.UTC).replace(tzinfo=None) - last_fetch > datetime.timedelta(days=3))
         user_requested_fetch = wait_helper.user_request == UserRequest.FETCH
         if params.get_bool("NetworkMetered") and not timed_out and not user_requested_fetch:
diff --git a/system/version.py b/system/version.py
index 2d8a387bf7..cd0e2d7f38 100755
--- a/system/version.py
+++ b/system/version.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ TESTED_BRANCHES = RELEASE_BRANCHES + ['devel', 'devel-staging', 'nightly-dev']
 
 BUILD_METADATA_FILENAME = "build.json"
 
-training_version: bytes = b"0.2.0"
-terms_version: bytes = b"2"
+training_version: str = "0.2.0"
+terms_version: str = "2"
 
 
 def get_version(path: str = BASEDIR) -> str: