Due to different ‘challenges’ on TikTok , more and more Hyundai and Kia cars are being stolen . Both companies have decided to take action on the matter.
This week the companies Hyundai and Kia released software updates to prevent more people from stealing their units in the wake of ‘challenges’ born on TikTok .
The patch released this Monday is available for a million selected cars, but reports say that 4 million will eventually need this fix.
The dangers of TikTok
The ‘Kia Challenge’ and the ‘Kia Boys’ are challenges that appeared during previous months on the TikTok social network.
In these videos, users used USB cables to start hacking into car systems so they could turn them on and use them without major mishaps.
In July we reported that in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the trend seems to have started, theft of Hyundai and Kia models account for 66% of auto thefts, growing 2,500% compared to last year.
Because of this, car owners began to demand a response from the manufacturers to this massive hack. For example, a class action lawsuit claimed that both brands lacked engine immobilizers, a common device that prevents car theft.
What is the update?
Car owners of affected model years such as the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue can visit a local dealership to install the anti-theft update.
Updates include an anti-theft tag to deter attack, a longer alarm, and the need for a physical key, rather than just pressing the ignition, to start the vehicle. Updates for other affected vehicles will be available in June