Query about built-in dashcam auto-start

[PGB99]

Hi everyone.

I have had a really frustrating conversation with MB Customer Service, I would like to know if anyone has the same issue.

The Issue - My 2024 CLG Coupe has a built-in dashcam and it works fine for individual and loop-recording. But I have to remember to start the cam every time I start the car.

Does anyone have a built-in dash cam where the app has the function to set auto-start?

According to the user guide (F254 0026 02 - pg 552) the capability to auto start loop recording should be available through the Dashcam app.



But it is not there in the app on my car. I have checked on the MB World Wide forum and the function seems to be available in other parts of the world. This is the setting that is missing!!


So, I put this to MB Customer Service, and asked them why, and they came back with 'I am afraid that at the moment there is no support for auto start of the Dashcam in the UK.'

Again, I asked why, and they then came back with 'Please kindly note, the auto-start of the loop recording function of the Dashcam is not available in the UK due to the UK privacy law requirements.'

So, I contacted the UK Information Commissioner's Office, and as I expected, they confirmed that there was no legal restriction on the auto-start function. So, MBZ BS again!

When I told them this, they then switched to 'We have communicated with our Technical experts multiple times regarding this matter, and they have reassured us that the autostart function for the dashcam is not possible in the UK and that, unfortunately, this will not change in the future.'

This is as far as I have got. I am sure a small over-the-air update would enable this function. Seems the settings are in the Dashcam App not in the car's basic settings, so why not provide an update to the app? Or just install the US app?

Paul

'

 

[Woodleigh]

Had mine for 12 months now, and yes auto start is definitely not available here in the UK. The other annoying thing about it is Loop Recording will not activate immediately, mine will only activates after about one minute when you are half a mile down the road.

Another annoyance is I sometimes get “Function Unavailable” and to cure this I sometimes have to delete a lot of footage on the computer.

I did read somewhere that Autostart is available in some Scandinavian countries.

 

[Woodleigh]

I guess the OP isn't coming back, looks like he's gone for good.

 

[jack-s]

Is anybody there Dash Cam auto start is only available on aftermarket fitted Dashcams as in the Nic O'leary you tube video, which is mainly for an MB aftermarket installation. I think it's just because MB have cold feet about any court cases regarding invasion of privacy, them being in the EU, and the ECHR overlap with the UK. If you have to switch it on then they cannot be held responsible, which is a wierd way of looking at it seeing that they built in the blessed thing. Same with the aftermarket install, if you have bought and had one installed, then you can set it anyway you want and they are not responsible.
Having said that if you have a built in Dash Cam the chances are you have the latest MBUX, so once you set the dashcam as you want it, like continuous loop you can start it recording with the 'Hey Mercedes' voice command while you are fastening your seat belt or whatever. When she asks 'how can I help' just say 'Start Dash Cam recording' and that's it, no fiddling with the on screen menus everytime you set off.

 

[PGB99]

Is anybody there Dash Cam auto start is only available on aftermarket fitted Dashcams as in the Nic O'leary you tube video, which is mainly for an MB aftermarket installation. I think it's just because MB have cold feet about any court cases regarding invasion of privacy, them being in the EU, and the ECHR overlap with the UK. If you have to switch it on then they cannot be held responsible, which is a wierd way of looking at it seeing that they built in the blessed thing. Same with the aftermarket install, if you have bought and had one installed, then you can set it anyway you want and they are not responsible.
Having said that if you have a built in Dash Cam the chances are you have the latest MBUX, so once you set the dashcam as you want it, like continuous loop you can start it recording with the 'Hey Mercedes' voice command while you are fastening your seat belt or whatever. When she asks 'how can I help' just say 'Start Dash Cam recording' and that's it, no fiddling with the on screen menus everytime you set off.

OK, that sounds like the 'hey Mercedes' is a workaround.

But on the privacy side, I actually contacted the UK Information Commissioner's Office, who are the custodians of the Information Protection laws in the UK. They confirmed that auto-starting the dashcam was perfectly legal.

So, I guess we are just stuck with it, as the final word from MBZ was 'We communicated with our Technical experts and they informed us that autostart for the dashcam is not possible in the UK and this will not come in the future.'

Their attitude is the thing that is really hacking me off. 'that's the way it is' , no explanation.

 

[Woodleigh]

'We communicated with our Technical experts and they informed us that autostart for the dashcam is not possible in the UK and this will not come in the future.'

Aye, they don't tell you that when they take your 200 quid !

 

[MTR]

OK, that sounds like the 'hey Mercedes' is a workaround.

But on the privacy side, I actually contacted the UK Information Commissioner's Office, who are the custodians of the Information Protection laws in the UK. They confirmed that auto-starting the dashcam was perfectly legal.

So, I guess we are just stuck with it, as the final word from MBZ was 'We communicated with our Technical experts and they informed us that autostart for the dashcam is not possible in the UK and this will not come in the future.'

Their attitude is the thing that is really hacking me off. 'that's the way it is' , no explanation.

I got the dash cam last month (shortly after I picked up my CLA), and knew about the lack of auto-start for it.

Although the ICO might say "no problem", I think it might come down to the legal basis on which Mercedes rely upon for the capture of the recording, which is probably "consent" - and getting the user to request activation each time the car is started could be taken as explicit consent to record. It feels a little overly caution in my opinion, but I would guess it is something along those lines. Might be worth asking Mercedes if they would share details of the Legitimate Interested Assessment (LIA) I dare say they completed as part of their Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA). The LIA would state the legal basis on which they rely as well as considerations to impact on affected individuals.

BTW - found this thread after searching to see if anyone reported if this had changed - as I keep forgetting to start the thing

 

[Andrew 999]

On MB-UX NTG7 you can also select the dashcam icon at the top of the screen and it'll prompt to turn on loop recording. Still tedious but easier than finding the app first.

 

[CLEowner]

I asked the sales guy about dashcam and he said he had sold it separately to other customers and then refunded them after they realised it didn't/couldn't start automatically. My CLE has the dashcam app, so I just fitted an SD card reader to the USB port and when I start the car say "start dashcam". NO pressing app buttons etc etc. Yes, not perfect, should start on ignition, also cannot set via a routine, but better than nothing.
If you don't like to ask for a refund if you paid for it as an extra.

 

[flybiggles]

Hi everyone complete newbie here but have recently purchased CLA sport wagon as my retirement pressie it is the top spec can’t remember the name given to the spect but it’s got all the bells and whistles it’s three years old , could not afford a new one but it’s good enough For me. it has twin cameras on the front screen and one in the boot. Been watching a lot of YouTube vids looking to understand how I can get a sad card to use the cameras as a dash cam. Vehicle has m us fitted but Mercedes says that the dash cam function is not available ….. cannot believe that, is there a work around? The films on you tube seem to suggest that it’s easy thanks Phil

 

[Graeme3695]

Hi everyone.

I have had a really frustrating conversation with MB Customer Service, I would like to know if anyone has the same issue.

The Issue - My 2024 CLG Coupe has a built-in dashcam and it works fine for individual and loop-recording. But I have to remember to start the cam every time I start the car.

Does anyone have a built-in dash cam where the app has the function to set auto-start?

According to the user guide (F254 0026 02 - pg 552) the capability to auto start loop recording should be available through the Dashcam app.
View attachment 90151


But it is not there in the app on my car. I have checked on the MB World Wide forum and the function seems to be available in other parts of the world. This is the setting that is missing!!
View attachment 90153

So, I put this to MB Customer Service, and asked them why, and they came back with 'I am afraid that at the moment there is no support for auto start of the Dashcam in the UK.'

Again, I asked why, and they then came back with 'Please kindly note, the auto-start of the loop recording function of the Dashcam is not available in the UK due to the UK privacy law requirements.'

So, I contacted the UK Information Commissioner's Office, and as I expected, they confirmed that there was no legal restriction on the auto-start function. So, MBZ BS again!

When I told them this, they then switched to 'We have communicated with our Technical experts multiple times regarding this matter, and they have reassured us that the autostart function for the dashcam is not possible in the UK and that, unfortunately, this will not change in the future.'

This is as far as I have got. I am sure a small over-the-air update would enable this function. Seems the settings are in the Dashcam App not in the car's basic settings, so why not provide an update to the app? Or just install the US app?

Paul

'

I’ve had the same response from MB and I pushed back hard but no joy. My argument was that if I had to select the option to automatically record that was the same as selecting each journey, but MB won’t budge.
RJ automotive offer coding to allow automatic recoding for about £80, but I’ve read you can also ask Hey Mercedes to switch it on each journey, which doesn’t seem too arduous.