Hi,

Not certain if this is the most appropriate forum but a couple of days before I was due to collect my new Scala the dealer sent me an email asking me to register for a  ŠKODA ID. I read the Terms and Conditions and as far as I could determine it would give me access to a lot of stuff that was of no particular interest (I don't use a smartphone, 'Infotainment' is BBC Radio 4) , so I declined the invitation.

 

This does not seem to have been well received by the dealer. I have been given a list of functions that will not be available to me if I don't 'sign up' and asked to sign a disclaimer acknowledging this.

 

I have learned that ŠKODA dealers get a payment for signing up customers to ID/Connect, so maybe the disclaimer is necessary for them to get the payment, but it seems a bit heavy handed to me.

 

I also note that a number of the 'functions' rely on knowing the location (and speed) of the vehicle so presumably, agreeing to the Ts & Cs means that I would be consenting to ŠKODA effectively tracking the vehicle. This is not something I feel comfortable with.

 

I would be interested to hear from anyone else who has declined to register.

 

21 hours ago, Biscayne said:

a couple of days before I was due to collect my new Scala the dealer sent me an email asking me to register for a  ŠKODA ID.

 

I have been given a list of functions that will not be available to me if I don't 'sign up' and asked to sign a disclaimer acknowledging this.

 

I have learned that ŠKODA dealers get a payment for signing up customers to ID/Connect

 

Connect comes with a free 1 year subscription. Where did you learn dealers get a bonus for signing up customers? That's a new one on me.

 

If you're not going to use any of the features then no point in signing up.

 

With a few exceptions, most owners seem to agree that Connect is a waste of time and few bother to carry on the subscription after the 1st year.  I'm one of them. It answers questions I never asked. Worst still, it gave wrong answers to questions I never asked.

 

Your vehicle will have a built in sim for emergency services ( mandatory in all new cars  ) so whether you like it or not, your car is able to be tracked.

 

Hope that helps.

Edited 30 May, 20233 yr by kodiaqsportline

1 hour ago, kodiaqsportline said:

 

Connect comes with a free 1 year subscription. Where did you learn dealers get a bonus for signing up customers? That's a new one on me.

 

If you're not going to use any of the features then no point in signing up.

 

With a few exceptions, most owners seem to agree that Connect is a waste of time and few bother to carry on the subscription after the 1st year.  I'm one of them. It answers questions I never asked. Worst still, it gave wrong answers to questions I never asked.

 

Your vehicle will have a built in sim for emergency services ( mandatory in all new cars  ) so whether you like it or not, your car is able to be tracked.

 

Hope that helps.

Thanks for your reply kodiaqsportline. I was told of the signup bonus by the salesman I originally dealt with (he has left the dealership now so I think it's OK to mention it).

 

Reading around I also got the impression that most think it is a waste of time.

 

Regarding the eCall system, it is (or should be) protected by legislation against tracking: "(12) Manufacturers should ensure that the 112-based cCall in-vehicle systems are not traceable and not subject to any constant tracking. For that purpose, a test procedure should be set out to verify that the 112-based eCall in-vehicle system is not available for communication with the PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) before the eCall is triggered" (UK Legislation; Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/79)

 

I will confirm to the dealer that I will not be signing up and see where it leads!

 

On 29/05/2023 at 22:35, Biscayne said:

I also note that a number of the 'functions' rely on knowing the location (and speed) of the vehicle so presumably, agreeing to the Ts & Cs means that I would be consenting to ŠKODA effectively tracking the vehicle. This is not something I feel comfortable with.

Regardless of what they say and/or what should happen I'm pretty sure the eSIM is tracking you all the time and has been the case since 2018 when it became EU law. They know where you are, how fast you are driving etc etc.

 

Not a Skoda but this shows just how much data can be logged, read the car technology bit which starts about half way down this report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51466273

10 hours ago, cnc said:

Regardless of what they say and/or what should happen I'm pretty sure the eSIM is tracking you all the time and has been the case since 2018 when it became EU law. They know where you are, how fast you are driving etc etc.

 

Not a Skoda but this shows just how much data can be logged, read the car technology bit which starts about half way down this report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51466273

I should have RTFM! The dealer was quick to show me how to set this before I drove off but I couldn't remember the sequence of button presses until I consulted the manual just now:

 

Maximum privacy mode

• All Škoda Connect services, except those required by law, are switched off.

• All localisation services are disabled. Vehicle position information is not shared.

• Information transfer via eSIM is disabled.

• No online updates are available.

Strangely, I have to confirm my selection on the 'infotainment' screen each time I turn on the ignition.