this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
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Privacy

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So, I still receive telemetry information from my old lease car, a Kia e-Niro, to my app. A huge, HUGE privacy issue.

I made sure to remove my profile from the car before turning it in, and doing a factory reset of the car's software.

I can see everything, AC, whether there are doors open, odometer, and above all, location.

Also tried to see if I can turn off the AC, but any commands throw an error, so disabling my account on the car at least did something πŸ˜…

I had it in the Netherlands, it's in Poland, and it looks like it's on its way to Ukraine.

Kia, you need to check your security.

Edit:

Holy shit it gets real bad. I can lock and unlock the car.

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[–] nonagonOrc@lemmy.world 32 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Cybersecurity professional here, I'd read up on Kia's responsible disclosure policy, to avoid any potential trouble, and for guidelines on how to disclose it to them and handle this ethically.

https://www.kia.com/eu/vulnerability-disclosure/

Unfortunately they don't do bug bounties, which is too bad.

Edit: I wouldn't listen to people telling you to lock the car, exploit it in other ways or disclosing it to the media first. That is unethical at best and illegal at worst.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

This comment is being reported. Did you mean to post a different link?

[–] nonagonOrc@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Oh wow this is very embarassing very sorry about that. Edited to include the proper link.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)
[–] fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com 21 points 3 days ago

This 100% needs to be reported. First to KIA, then to the media after whatever time is required to pass for responsible disclosure in your country/region.

[–] kcweller@feddit.nl 75 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I can lock and unlock the car that's I don't own. This is slightly worrisome, and me and my partner have just decided not to get a eNiro of our own πŸ˜…

[–] SkyezOpen@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

Just don't get a Kia period. They're notorious for being stolen because their security is shit.

That’s wild!!

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 51 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Report it to a local tech site. That's a scandal.

[–] Buske@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago

If you think that's bad, ANYONE CAN DO IT.

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 54 points 3 days ago (3 children)

My brother who was working on buying a Kia EV6 could see and track its location before even signing the paperwork. All you need is the VIN.

[–] mxcory@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I bought a used ev6 and the previous owner profile was still on there.

Had to send info including proof of purchase and ID to have that old account removed.

This was from an actual Kia dealer that made it a certified pre-owned as well. I don't understand why they didn't have the old account removed.

[–] porous_grey_matter@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't understand why they didn't have the old account removed.

why bother when you'll go through the hassle for them, I guess

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Or they could charge you. When I bought a used Ford the dealer wanted me to pay a $100 fee to change the door keypad code, something I did myself in about 2 minutes.

[–] toast@retrolemmy.com 31 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

On some websites, you can get the VIN with just the plate number.

Of course, the VIN is also displayed on the exterior of most cars anyway

[–] UndulyUnruly@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago

HO LY FUCK!

You should report this to somewhere like 404 media

[–] scytale@lemmy.zip 38 points 3 days ago

Yeah iirc Hyundai/Kia are one of the worst in the car industry when it comes to handling user data.

[–] ashenone@lemmy.ml 28 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I'll kill myself before I get a car connected to the internet

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

I used to work for AAA which has a program called GIG (Get It Going) where you can rent a Prius in the Bay Area much like a Lime scooter. They had to stay connected and EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND someone would take one up to hike in the mountains or drive down the coast, lose connection and it would instantly go into lockdown mode. They would have to call for us to tow a dead car they couldn’t even open to get their things out of.

So hey, a bear or crackhead might do the killing for you if you get a WiFi car

[–] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago

I was so happy when the shut down 3G networks killed off a ton of car data planes.

[–] hddsx@lemmy.ca 17 points 3 days ago (1 children)

But think of the shareholder value lost if we invest in that!

[–] Logh@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 days ago

Just short it mate.

[–] KingGimpicus@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Nissan does this too. I leased a new Kicks when they came out and HATED it. Seats were terrible, car was underpowered, and some jackets decided to program the cvt to "shift" because Nissan got complaints that the car was stuck in gear. Just learn how a CVT works.

Anyways, 4 years later, I still get emails about monthly maintenance work, tow alarms, and tracking updates. I never asked for them to begin with and I guess I'm stuck with it as a VW guy now.

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

. I can lock and unlock the car.

Keep it locked once the passenger is out. Maybe then they care.

[–] Willem@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago

Meldt het bij tweakers, die willen er vast een artikeltje overschrijven