PVS Fleet Solutions have been working to warn fleet managers about signing up to long-term telematics contracts. The telematics systems that require ‘plug and play’ technology that can be plugged into a vehicle’s’ onboard diagnostic-II, or OBD port are expected to shortly become obsolete.

The warning has been made by Marcus Paddy, the Managing Director of Puddy Vehicle Solutions, or PVS. This company is known for being one of the UK’s most experienced fleet consultants. Marcus has 30 years of experience, which has generated over the course of his career. Marcus has been advising fleet managers and their data management colleagues to implement policies and procedures to manage the robust deletion of information from the in-car connected systems with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, due in next year.

Originally, the OBD-II Port was originally used as an access point to be used by mechanics to gain vehicle diagnostic data. Since then it has been used as an access for plug-in aftermarket devices. These devices include the ‘track and trace’ telematics systems.

With the increase in vehicle connectivity and the growing concerns about the management of ‘big data’, especially with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation which is due to take place on May the 25th 2018. This this upcoming regulation change a number of motor manufacturers will be looking to make the OBD-II Port obsolete. Therefore, companies are being warned against using this kind of telematics system, or signing up for this solution for an extended period of time, as it could become unusable, if manufacturers remove the port.

Marcus Puddy has said that the industry was first made aware of the risks to security caused by the OBD-II Port being used by telematics devices when hackers managed to gain control of a Jeep by using a plug-in dongle that has mobile connectivity capabilities.