Another DaveB replied on 08/06/2021 09:17
Posted on 08/06/2021 09:17
We've just bought a brand new Swift Select panel van conversion, which comes with the Swift Command system.
I've now had a chance to read through all the bumpf in more detail, and, as I understand it:
- the Swift Command system is "free" for the first three years, and was set up by the retailer, but I have to activate it to use the remote facility.
- the Command system then costs another £30-40/yr after that.
- the Tracker component is not yet set up, I have to pay for that separately (£95/yr for the first 3 years, then another £80-90 *on top of the Command system* after that)
- Activating (or even having?) the Swift Command system means sending all my data (location, battery/water levels, etc etc) to Sargent - and that is *without* having the Tracker enabled!
I can't quite see why Sargent would need to be able to see all my data. OK, I can see that it has to go through a server somewhere to be able to get back to a phone if I was using the app - but I don't intend to, as it's parked on our drive when not in use. I can also see that data is of use in diagnosing a fault - but then submitting data/log files should be by exception, not the default setting. Besides, always online server systems are notorious for being unintentionally leaky in terms of personal data.
Furthermore, we were discussing security with a couple of neighbours, and both, independently, knew of people who had had vehicles stolen and the police hadn't bothered checking the tracker system as, as far as they were concerned, it was almost certainly out of the country within a few hours.
Does anyone else have, or has anyone else had, similar concerns relating to privacy? Because, as far as I can see, there is little benefit to us in having either the data component or the tracker component - the latter gives us a discount on the insurance, but at the cost of an ongoing subscription, and we could probably achieve a discount simply by using a wheel clamp and steering wheel lock.
I would be interested in knowing others' thoughts on this!
Thanks.
Another DaveB
Motorhomer