Movístar launches phone App to prevent car theft

NATIONAL telecomms giant Telefónica has created an anti-car theft phone App for less than the cost of a glass of wine per month.

Movístar, Telefónica's mobile and internet brand, has joined forces with one of Spain's key home security alarm system providers, Prosegur, and with the communications corporation's in-car technology provider Net4things, in setting up its new 'thief alert'.

For those who already subscribe to the company's motoring technology service Movístar Car, which costs €3 a month, the Movístar Car Protect App comes in at an extra €1.95.

It allows the customer to name people who have their permission to use their car, logging their details into the App via bluetooth connections with these permitted drivers' own devices.

This means alerts will not be sent if a person with the car-owner's permission unlocks or starts the vehicle.

But if a person not registered on the App attempts to drive or enter it, or any other 'unauthorised' or 'suspicious' movement involving the vehicle is detected, the owner will receive an immediate notification either via text message, automated phone call, or an alert through the Movístar Car Protect App itself.

Then, the car-owner will have two minutes to either cancel the alert, or tap an option confirming the vehicle use or entry as 'suspicious'.

If the user confirms it could be a theft, an immediate alert goes through to Prosegur, a company which operates intruder alarms linked to security guards or police headquarters.

This then means police detectives will be on the case within just two to three minutes of the car-theft attempt – quick enough that, even if a thief had jumped straight in and driven off at high speed, they would still be within the local area, or no farther than a 10-kilometre radius at worst.