Controversial : Hertz installed the cameras as part of the in-car NeverLost app in 2014 . Car rental company Hertz has been slammed by customers for putting cameras inside their vehicles . The controversial device was installed as part of the in-car navigation system and guide , NeverLost 6 app , which was introduced in 2014 . Drivers fear the lens is a breach of their privacy , but the firm insist they do not work and have no plans to turn them on . They also state they do not have the bandwidth capabilities to support video streaming . The cameras were added so drivers could interact with a member of the customer services team during an emergency or when stationary . To start a conversation , the motorist or a passenger would have been able to turn on the camera themselves - but because of technical difficulties the feature has n't been integrated into the system . Rich Broome , a spokesman for Hertz , told the Daily Mail Online it would have been completely customer activated and could not have been turned on remotely . He added that there is 'nothing behind the lens ' and there is no timetable to connect the device . However some drivers who regularly rent from Hertz have still expressed their concern at the camera 's presence . One customer wrote on the forum Flyertalk : ' I am a regular renter from Hertz ( President 's Circle ) . This week after the usual excessive wait for the Hertz airport shuttle , I got into a rental car at O'Hare airport . ' I immediately noticed the new NeverLost and I was completely shocked to see a camera built into the device looking at me . The system ca n't be turned off from what could tell . Further investigation revealed that the camera can see the entire inside of the car . ' I know rental car companies have been tracking the speed and movements of their vehicles for years but putting a camera inside the cabin of the vehicle is taking their need for information a little too far . Breach of privacy ? Some drivers have expressed their concern at the presence of the device , but the hire car firm said there is 'nothing behind the lens ' and the camera simply does n't work . ' I find this to be completely unacceptable In fact , if I get another car from Hertz with a camera in it , I will move our business from Hertz completely . I influence car rentals of many others and I do n't think anyone would want to be on camera while they are driving around or sitting at a red light . 'Given what Hertz has invested in this system , I wonder how much consumer pressure will make them to pull the plug on this . Business is built one customer at a time and they will no longer have me as a customer . ' The company told a Twitter user who criticized the use of the lens : 'The camera in the NeverLost device was never activated as we do not have adequate bandwidth capabilities to the car to support streaming video at this time . ' Mr Broome added that if any customer has any concerns with the device , they can simply switch to another car . Only 20 per cent of the cars have a camera inside . It is not the first time in-car recording technology has caused a stir . Last year Chevrolette released a new Corvette with a 'nanny cam ' inside - aimed at keeping an eye on suspicious valets . But General Motors were forced to send an advisory to customers warning them not to use the product as it is illegal in some states .
Devices installed as part of the in-car navigation and guide system . It was launched to provide live interaction with customers when stationary . Motorists say the company 's need for information has been taken too far . Firm has said there is n't enough bandwidth to support the cameras . A spokesman told the Daily Mail Online 'there 's nothing behind the lens '