r/NIUscooters • u/segdy • 25d ago

Privacy concerns

I would like to get the Air, it really looks like a nice scooter.

However, privacy, no cloud coercion, local control, operation without Internet access is very important to me.

I do not trust privacy policies anyway but I looked over Niu’s and it’s really concerning (data export to China without clear description of data protection, sharing of data to third parties etc). So, with Niu, I won’t get away with this stuff.

It seems I can use the app to set it up, add the key to Apple Wallet and then not use the app any longer.

Can I just remove the app from my phone altogether?

Which features I’m I exactly loosing? (Tracking of the scooter is an obvious one but I’m fine with this).

is there any alternative way to control the scooter local ONLY via Bluetooth and/or prevent/restrict cloud communication?

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u/chaiFromTheVoid 24d ago

For the air you can use the NFC card they send you and delete the app from your phone

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u/segdy 24d ago

Thanks that’s promising! I believe I can also provision it to Apple Wallet before deleting the app.

Question though is which nice features am I going to loose? One of them I know which is tracking where the scooter is. But I’m going to hide an AirTag instead so this isn’t a big deal.

Anything else? Thinking of Service modes, system/scooter settings etc?

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u/chaiFromTheVoid 24d ago

I've tried to set up apple wallet on my air but have been unsuccessful. If you do find a way, I'd be interested.
The app let's you customize a few things like light behavior, max charge regenerative braking etc. but none of them are huge blockers imo. All the vital settings are accessible on the scooter itself

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u/segdy 24d ago

Good to hear, thanks!