diff --git a/starpilot/common/starpilot_variables.py b/starpilot/common/starpilot_variables.py
index bed52b62a..c249e05c0 100644
--- a/starpilot/common/starpilot_variables.py
+++ b/starpilot/common/starpilot_variables.py
@@ -195,6 +195,7 @@ EXCLUDED_KEYS = {
   "CommunityFavorites",
   "CurvatureData",
   "ExperimentalLongitudinalEnabled",
+  "InstallDate",
   "StarPilotCarParamsPersistent",
   "KonikMinutes",
   "LastUpdateTime",
@@ -214,6 +215,7 @@ EXCLUDED_KEYS = {
   "UpdaterCurrentDescription",
   "UpdaterCurrentReleaseNotes",
   "UpdaterFetchAvailable",
+  "UpdaterLastFetchTime",
   "UpdaterTargetBranch",
   "UserFavorites",
   "UptimeOffroad"
diff --git a/starpilot/system/the_pond/the_pond.py b/starpilot/system/the_pond/the_pond.py
index f7152c24a..98a5dd97d 100644
--- a/starpilot/system/the_pond/the_pond.py
+++ b/starpilot/system/the_pond/the_pond.py
@@ -400,6 +400,9 @@ def _sanitize_json_value(value):
   if isinstance(value, (list, tuple)):
     return [_sanitize_json_value(item) for item in value]
 
+  if isinstance(value, datetime):
+    return value.isoformat()
+
   if isinstance(value, bytes):
     try:
       return value.decode("utf-8")
@@ -5881,10 +5884,11 @@ def setup(app):
         continue
 
       raw_value = params.get(key)
-      if isinstance(raw_value, bytes):
-        value = raw_value.decode("utf-8", errors="replace")
-      else:
-        value = raw_value or "0"
+      value = _sanitize_json_value(raw_value)
+      if value is None:
+        value = "0"
+      elif not isinstance(value, (str, int, float, bool, dict, list)):
+        value = str(value)
 
       toggle_values[key] = value