Don’t expect trackers to save your stolen car, experts say

Don't expect trackers to save your stolen car, experts say

Don t expect trackers to save - Experts caution that vehicle tracking systems may not always recover stolen cars, as highlighted by the case of Ian Fogg, a smartphone analyst. In March, his car was taken from outside his home, yet he couldn’t retrieve it despite having access to live location data through Kia’s Connect service and a video doorbell recording of the theft.

Connected Car Features Fall Short

Thatcham Research, a car safety organization, pointed out a "significant and expanding discrepancy" between what consumers expect from connected car features and their actual security capabilities. While Fogg had multiple tools at his disposal—including an Apple Airtag—these proved insufficient against thieves who bypassed them with ease.

"This car was incredibly easy to hack but incredibly difficult to track," Fogg remarked. "It shouldn’t be this easy to nick a car when they cost an order of magnitude more than a phone and share similar radio technology."

Kia Connect’s Limitations

Kia Connect, the service used to monitor the vehicle’s location, is designed for convenience rather than security, according to the firm. UK law restricts its live-tracking capabilities, requiring customers to submit forms repeatedly to obtain location updates. Fogg completed this process eight times, but each request took 24 to 48 hours to deliver, by which point the car had already been moved to Lithuania.

Thieves disconnected Fogg’s phone via the car’s entertainment system, disabling the tracker. This method relies on an unsecured process intended to help new owners take over a vehicle, but it left Fogg unable to follow the car’s movements once it was stolen.

Legal and Technical Barriers

Under GDPR, which governs data protection in the UK, releasing a vehicle’s location requires compliance with legal procedures. The Information Commissioner’s Office states users have a right to access their data, but law enforcement can’t demand it without specific consent. In standard theft cases, police lack formal authority to retrieve real-time tracking info without approval from the Home Office.

Thatcham’s Recommendation

Thatcham Research urges car owners to opt for independently certified tracking devices instead of relying on built-in connected features. These devices should have their own power source and connect to professional monitoring centers for real-time tracking. "These products exist precisely because most connected car apps, however sophisticated, are not engineered to perform the security function owners may assume," the organization explained.

Fogg contrasted his car’s security with that of his smartphone, noting both use radio technology and software, yet the phone industry has improved theft prevention measures. He described the car industry’s approach as lagging behind, leaving vehicles vulnerable despite their advanced features.