Author Topic: "My Honda" dongle & app  (Read 13470 times)

ColinB

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"My Honda" dongle & app
« on: October 20, 2017, 08:38:23 AM »
I got a call from my local dealer yesterday out of the blue, offering to fit the "My Honda" system free of charge when it goes in for it's 2-year service on Monday. This involves fitting a dongle to the car (which seems to be a combination telematics box, GPS tracker, cellphone connectivity, and data logger). You then access the data via a smartphone app. For what it does, see here:
http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/owners/my-honda/my-honda.html
All for free, apparently (I believe the normal retail price is north of £200). Not sure why I got selected for this.

First thought was that I ought to bite their hand off ... freebies are worth having, right ? But having browsed the Ts&Cs (available through the same link), I'm now not so sure. Honda must be getting some benefit from this otherwise they wouldn't offer it; my thought is that the data is very valuable to them. They'll be amassing a whole lot of personal data about my car and me (including it's location) at all times, and it's not entirely clear what they'll be doing with that data or how well they'll be protecting it. They'll provide the service that's advertised, but what else will they be doing with my data ? Not clear.

Some issues that arise from the Ts&Cs:
1. I (and presumably anyone at Honda or their data manager Bright Box or whoevever they've granted system access to, eg police) will be able to track anyone driving the car by seeing how they're driving (including speed) and where they are; that raises privacy issues.
2. You can't stop the dongle transmitting the data, even if you decide you don't want to use that data by deleting the app. You have to go to a Honda dealer to get it deactivated. I wonder if that's going to be free, or indeed if people will remember to do it. If I don't deactivate it before selling the car, then presumably I'll be able to track the new owner ... privacy again. People will also have to be careful when buying a used Honda to check whether the car has one of these fitted.
3. The Ts&Cs say the subscription ends after 3 years, but can be renewed. Presumably at that point it will cease to be free.

I also note that the Android app scores a stunning 2 stars on the Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bbenterprise.myhonda&hl=en_GB), with lots of complaints that it just doesn't work, even from those who've had the system installed and set up by Honda.

What do others think ? Is this too good an offer to turn down ? Or do the privacy concerns outweigh the advantages ? Am I being unreasonably paranoid ?

Downsizer

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2017, 09:58:37 AM »
My first thought is"What problem are you hoping to solve by fitting it, and is it important?

ColinB

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2017, 08:24:16 AM »
My first thought is"What problem are you hoping to solve by fitting it, and is it important?
Good point. The answer is of course that it's a solution looking for a problem. I've not felt the need for having this kind of system in the past (although a tracker might have been useful when a previous car was stolen, but even that would have stopped working when the scrotes set fire to it after having their "fun").
So there's no functionality there which I absolutely MUST have, and to get it as a "nice to have" would be giving away quite a lot of personal information unnecessarily to Honda. So it's looking like I'll turn down their kind offer.

Out of interest, has anyone else had this offer from Honda and what did you decide ?

Skyrider

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2017, 12:42:47 PM »
If Honda are giving this gadget away it must be of more use to them than you.

andruec

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2017, 06:07:10 PM »
If Honda are giving this gadget away it must be of more use to them than you.
The voice of experience. Companies never offer anything out of the goodness of their hearts.

Downsizer

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2018, 03:35:44 PM »
I received this offer in the post this morning, presumably because a service is due (2 years).  The leaflet suggests that Honda is looking for ways to make my life less complicated, but it seems the reverse.  The only features of any use from my point of view are impact alert if an airbag is deployed (assuming the thing is still working), and the security features to alert me if the car is taken.  I wonder if you get a window sticker to deter potential thieves?

Vehicle health monitoring seems to check things which already have dashboard warning lights, so I don't understand the advantage, unless you've lent the car to someone who doesn't check warning lights!

So on balance, I think I'll do without it.

CATech

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2018, 09:11:49 PM »
Honda are (or were) offering the dongle with the 5 year service plan (@£599)
They are (or were) offering the service plan free with new car purchase and registration.

I've just ordered an EX CVT for delivery next week (not interested in driving around in an 18 plate), and asked for the dongle NOT to be fitted or activated. The salesman said "just unplug it".
So...is it like a USB memory stick that can be removed, and if so, does it take up one of the USB sockets in the cabin.....or what??


ColinB

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2018, 10:06:20 PM »
I've just ordered an EX CVT ...  and asked for the dongle NOT to be fitted or activated. The salesman said "just unplug it".
So...is it like a USB memory stick that can be removed, and if so, does it take up one of the USB sockets in the cabin.....or what??
I don’t think it’s fitted inside the cabin. From the Ts&Cs (see link in my initial post at the top of this thread), item 9.5:
“In the event that a Dongle has been installed into your Honda vehicle and you wish to cancel your Subscription before the end of the Fixed Term you should return your Honda vehicle to an authorised Honda dealership to disconnect the Dongle, otherwise some of your personal data may continue to be received by Honda, Bright Box and affiliated third parties as set out in the Privacy Policy for as long as the Dongle is connected to your Honda vehicle. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Dongle is disconnected on the cancellation of your Subscription, however it has arisen.”

If you can find it I suppose you could remove it yourself but without knowing how it’s connected into the vehicle it’s unclear how easy or desirable that would be. Maybe someone who’s actually got one could advise whether it looks as if it’s easily removable ?

Or maybe it’d be easier just to get the dealer to remove it before you take delivery. If it is possible to “just unplug it”, well, it should be easy for them to do it for you shouldn’t it ?

dogbiscuit

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2018, 12:42:15 PM »
I had the free dongle fitted last week and asked the mechanic where/how it was fitted. He told me it plugs into the diagnostic socket under the dashboard. At some point I will go looking for it. Currently most of the app features aren’t working. The GPS does track my car so I can see where it’s parked on my phone but it hasn’t managed to record any of my journeys. Not impressed and when I get around to it I will contact Honda about it.

Skyrider

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2018, 01:13:50 PM »
The diagnostic, (OBD2) socket is behind the bottom of the trim to the left of the steering column. It can be felt as a plastic block if you run your fingers along the back of the trim. Bluetooth dongles can be bought online for a little as £1.99, probably not as sophisticated as the Honda ones though!
« Last Edit: February 01, 2018, 11:59:12 AM by Deeps »

dogbiscuit

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2018, 05:30:06 PM »
I have had to unplug and reinsert the My Honda dongle today under the instructions of Honda Customer care to try and diagnose the issues I'm having with the unit. The thing itself is not much more than a matchbox in size. Here is a link to some documentation: http://config.myhonda.ecom.honda-eu.com/content/docs/RB3DOC-EN.jpg

Hebden

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2018, 07:51:09 AM »
No idea if one has been fitted in the SE I picked up yesterday. There is certainly a little booklet about it in the driver’s pack. Does it qualify as a tracker for insurance purposes.?

Hobo

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2018, 12:54:09 PM »
No idea if one has been fitted in the SE I picked up yesterday.

If it was fitted they would have needed your smart phone to download the app. and set it up.

ColinB

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2018, 01:06:08 PM »
No idea if one has been fitted in the SE I picked up yesterday.

If it was fitted they would have needed your smart phone to download the app. and set it up.
Not necessarily, I'm pretty sure if the dealer has fitted the dongle, then the car owner can install the app to their phone and set it up themselves. You could always try that, and if you're successful then a dongle must be fitted. If yours is a used car, you might find you can access the previous owner's records (which would of course be a data protection breach on Honda's part).

Hobo

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Re: "My Honda" dongle & app
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2018, 01:22:04 PM »
Not necessarily, I'm pretty sure if the dealer has fitted the dongle, then the car owner can install the app to their phone and set it up themselves.

Without the pin code they would not be able to access the app. the dealer puts the pin code in when the unit is fitted, it is possible for the user to change it but not without putting the code in which the dealer would have to have given them and provided it has not been changed at any time.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2018, 01:54:50 PM by Hobo »

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