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Wed, 01 Jul 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 Don't expect trackers to save your stolen car, experts say

Kia told the BBC UK law prevented its location tracking function being used to live track vehicles.

* Ian Fogg's Kia car was stolen despite having a live location tracking feature and video evidence of the theft.
* The manufacturer, Kia, told BBC News that UK law prevents the use of the Connect function for live tracking, advising customers to use it for "convenience" rather than security.
* Fogg said his experience was a cautionary tale of how technology can promise security but cannot be relied upon in a crisis.
* He tried to track his car using an Apple Airtag and Kia Connect service, but was told by Kia that he would have to fill out a form every time he requested the location of his car.
* Kia Connect is described as a "customer convenience feature" rather than a certified security vehicle tracker, which does not provide live-tracking functionality for stolen vehicles.
* The company's policy means that users have to wait 24-48 hours for location data to be released, and this must comply with GDPR regulations.
* Thatcham Research recommends car owners use independently certified tracking devices that provide genuine real-time location monitoring via a professional monitoring centre.