How a single TikTok video sparked a massive wave of auto theft
In response to the crime wave, Kiaimmobilizers to their 2022 models, and Hyundai has added them to cars built since November 2021. So far there's been no recall on the already-compromised models, though Kia and Hyundai both noted in statements to Insider that they are providing steering-wheel locks to affected car owners through some police departments — in Kia's case, 23,000 locks to over 120 departments nationwide.
Ann Davison, the Seattle city attorney, acknowledged TikTok's role in the theft spree but placed the underlying blame on the car companies themselves."What really has happened is that Kia and Hyundai chose to cut corners in cost in their least-expensive models in a period of years," she told me. Davison is one of the lawyers who has filed a class-action suit against the manufacturers .
Michaels' complaint alleges that the manufacturers failed to disclose that the cars lacked immobilizers,"thereby misrepresenting the vehicles' safety, ease of theft, and value to consumers." He also argued that the real problem came down to the bottom line."The reality is these are just very cheaply made cars where every corner is cut to save a nickel," Michaels said.
Both Kia and Hyundai told Insider that in response to the thefts, the companies have introduced a free anti-theft-software upgrade, as Hyundai noted,"to prevent the vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularized on TikTok and other social media.
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