BlueDriver OBD2 scanner now requires account login and collects data: Difference between revisions
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The BlueDriver device was (and still is) advertised as being able to work without an internet connection<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Do I need an Internet Connection? |url=https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000551764-do-i-need-an-internet-connection-}}</ref>, so that it works even if you have car trouble somewhere without cell signal. Also, the app worked without any kind of login, with your data stored securely and privately on your own device. | The BlueDriver device was (and still is) advertised as being able to work without an internet connection<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Do I need an Internet Connection? |url=https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000551764-do-i-need-an-internet-connection-}}</ref>, so that it works even if you have car trouble somewhere without cell signal. Also, the app worked without any kind of login, with your data stored securely and privately on your own device. | ||
== | ==Incident== | ||
However, as of the release of version 8.0 of their iOS app in April 2025, it now blocks you from accessing the app's functions until and unless you register and log into an account which stores data on their servers. Any customers who were unwilling to register and share their data were suddenly left with a bricked device. Even some customers who were willing to register and log in were unable to do so because they did not have an internet connection. For some users, this left them stranded in remote locations without the ability to diagnose a problem with their car, since they were out of cell range. | However, as of the release of version 8.0 of their iOS app in April 2025, it now blocks you from accessing the app's functions until and unless you register and log into an account which stores data on their servers. Any customers who were unwilling to register and share their data were suddenly left with a bricked device. Even some customers who were willing to register and log in were unable to do so because they did not have an internet connection. For some users, this left them stranded in remote locations without the ability to diagnose a problem with their car, since they were out of cell range. | ||
[[File:Screenshot of BlueDriver app.jpg|alt=Screenshot of BlueDriver app, showing the requirement to register and log in|thumb|Screenshot of BlueDriver app, showing the requirement to register and log in]] | |||
===Company's response=== | ===Company's response=== | ||
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The company claims that the change "helps keep your data safe"<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Why We Introduced Account Sign-In for the BlueDriver App |url=https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000724224-why-we-introduced-account-sign-in-for-the-bluedriver-app}}</ref>, despite the fact that the data was previously stored securely just on customers' devices, but is now being stored on a server controlled by the company with unknown security. | The company claims that the change "helps keep your data safe"<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Why We Introduced Account Sign-In for the BlueDriver App |url=https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000724224-why-we-introduced-account-sign-in-for-the-bluedriver-app}}</ref>, despite the fact that the data was previously stored securely just on customers' devices, but is now being stored on a server controlled by the company with unknown security. | ||
=== Timeline === | ===Timeline=== | ||
*2021: Released iOS app version 7.11, which added the ability to register and log in to an account to store data on their servers. But the app still worked without logging in – their support article<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - What is a BlueDriver Account? (Archived) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424221950/https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000724224-what-is-a-bluedriver-account-}}</ref> called it an "option", and their version update note read: | |||
<blockquote>Now sync your vehicle scans across your devices by signing up for an (optional) account</blockquote> | <blockquote>Now sync your vehicle scans across your devices by signing up for an (optional) account</blockquote> | ||
*April 25, 2025: iOS app version 8.0 released, adding the requirement to log in. The release notes make no mention of this change, so users were unwittingly lulled into installing the update. The note misleadingly just says the update includes "General Performance Enhancements". | |||
*April 28, 2025: iOS app setup instructions changed to say that there is now a mandatory step to log in (original<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Setup - iPhone & iPad (archived 4/26/25) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426173411/https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000551738-setup-iphone-ipad}}</ref> vs updated<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Support Page - Setup - iPhone & iPad (archived 8/6/25) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250806210340/https://support.bluedriver.com/support/solutions/articles/43000551738-setup-iphone-ipad}}</ref> help page). | |||
==Privacy Policy== | |||
== Privacy Policy == | |||
Now that they are forcing customers to send data to their servers, there are some pertinent sections of their privacy policy<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Privacy Policy |url=https://us.bluedriver.com/pages/privacy-policy}}</ref>: | Now that they are forcing customers to send data to their servers, there are some pertinent sections of their privacy policy<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueDriver Privacy Policy |url=https://us.bluedriver.com/pages/privacy-policy}}</ref>: | ||