Automaker Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia, which has developed anti-theft software for millions of its vehicles in the US in response to car theft incidents inspired by a viral social media challenge on TikTok, will provide it free of cost to vehicle owners. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the “Kia Challenge” on TikTok has resulted in hundreds of car thefts across the country, including 14 accidents and eight deaths, The Verge reports.
In the video, the thieves, said to be “Kia boys”, are taught how to bypass the vehicle’s security system with simple tools such as a USB cable, according to the report. Hyundai and Kia update the “theft alarm software logic” so that the alarm sound lasts one minute instead of 30 seconds, and the key must be in the ignition switch to start the vehicle.
About 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia software updates are included for free. In addition, Hyundai will also provide its customers with a window sticker that will alert thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection.
It will distribute stickers and roll out software updates in phases later this month and will continue for several months. Apart from this, Kia is also distributing free software updates in phases. The company will begin updating the vehicles later this month, with subsequent phases taking place over the next several months.
In September last year, Hyundai and Kia were sued in the US over a defect in their cars that was revealed in a TikTok challenge, resulting in vehicle thefts across the country.
A class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Orange County, California, alleging that Kias made between 2011 and 2021 and Hyundai cars made from 2015 to 2021 were “knowingly” without an “engine immobilizer”. K was made.