Car tracking features for ‘convenience not security’ warns Kia

“Kia Connect is a customer convenience feature, not a certified security vehicle tracking device,” the company told the BBC.

“Therefore, it does not offer live tracking functionality for stolen vehicles.

“It is possible to broadcast a vehicle’s location details via Kia Connect, but this must be done in full compliance with all applicable laws and authorities, in particular the GDPR, to minimize risk to the customer.”

GPDR is Europe’s data protection law, and an almost identical version applies in the UK.

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office, Britain’s data regulator, users have the right to access their own information and organizations must respond to a request from a person who can be identified from personal data within one calendar month.

The BBC understands that in standard cases of vehicle theft, police have no formal power to request this data without special permission from the Home Office and it is rarely sought in such cases.

It is the responsibility of individual automakers to share data with law enforcement based on their own policies.

Kia offers a safety vehicle tracking service in the US to subscribers who buy its premium package, but it’s not available in the UK or Europe.