“Kia Connect is a customer convenience feature, not a certified security vehicle tracker,” the firm told the BBC.
“Therefore, it does not provide live‑tracking functionality for stolen vehicles.
“Release of location details of a vehicle via Kia Connect is possible, however this must be done in full compliance with all applicable laws, in particular GDPR, and the authorities to minimise risk to the customer.”
GDPR 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 information and organisations need to respond to the request from someone who can be identified from personal data within one calendar month.
In the event of standard vehicle theft, the police have no formal powers to demand this data without specific consent from the Home Office, which is rarely sought on these occasions, the BBC understands.
It is up to individual car manufacturers to share data with law enforcement depending on their own policies.
Kia does offer a security vehicle tracking service in the US to subscribers who take out its premium package, but this is not available in the UK or Europe.
