Busting Myths: The Truth About Motorcycle Trackers And Your Privacy

Choosing a top-quality motorcycle tracker and having it professionally installed can make all the difference between getting your bike back if it gets stolen and losing it forever. Here at Fit My Tracker, we are always keen to emphasise the benefits that a good tracking device can provide. However, we also understand that many motorcyclists are worried about how a GPS device could impact privacy so we’re here to try and dispel some of the myths around this subject.

The benefits of trackers

Motorcycle trackers undoubtedly provide a range of valuable benefits such as theft prevention, easy vehicle recovery and even maintenance schedule reminders and have certainly provided a sense of security for business owners and peace of mind for individuals.

The use of these devices, in particular, their ability to record and store information about the individual, their vehicle and their manner of driving, can raise privacy concerns. However there are laws in place in the UK which protect the privacy of individuals including employees although the law when it comes to GPS tracking is less specific.

The most common privacy concerns we hear about are:

Data Collection And Retention

Trackers do collect and store location data which can reveal sensitive information about the rider’s whereabouts, routines, riding habits and, yes, your speed.

If you use your bike for your job, be aware that your employer can legally track you only if you are aware of this and have given consent. An employer is not legally entitled to monitor you or your riding outside of working hours nor are they allowed to collect any stored data from outside your working hours.

Misuse By Authorities

There is a common belief that the police can, at any time, confiscate and use data collected by a vehicle tracker, but this is largely a myth.

In both of the above scenarios, all authorities including the police and employers must abide by UK law relating to the use of data gained from tracking devices. This is primarily the Data Protection Act 2018 and Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998, which protects the right to respect for private and family life. However, where GPS data has been lawfully obtained by an employer, this does not necessarily breach the DPA or the HRA so in the event of any disciplinary proceedings much will depend on the reasons for which the data has been obtained. The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 regulates the use of surveillance and interception by public authorities and includes conditions under which tracking data can be accessed by police.

Unauthorised Use Of Data

Most technology can be hacked, and most of us go to great lengths to keep our devices safe and avoid the risk of hackers gaining valuable data and using it for criminal purposes.

GPS trackers are much less vulnerable to hacking because they do not connect to wifi and, as they process information from GPS satellites there is nothing for a hacker to connect to – no phone signal or IP address. A GPS tracker is very unlikely to be hacked.

To keep your data safe and your privacy protected, always choose a device which offers robust encryption and security features. To find out more, contact the team here at FitMyTracker for guidance.