Kia says UK law blocks live vehicle tracking, experts warn trackers won't recover stolen cars

Kia Motors has clarified that its vehicle‑tracking feature cannot be used for live tracking under current UK law, the company told the BBC. The automaker said that while its system can record and display a vehicle’s location history, it is not designed or permitted to provide real‑time location data to third parties.

The company explained that the feature is intended for personal use by vehicle owners, allowing them to review past routes and mileage. It added that the legal framework in the United Kingdom restricts the use of such data for continuous monitoring, citing privacy and data protection regulations that limit the sharing of live location information without explicit consent.

Kia’s statement came amid growing scrutiny of automotive data‑sharing practices. The automaker emphasized that it remains committed to complying with all applicable data‑protection laws and that its tracking function is aligned with those requirements.