Hyundai and Kia are rolling out “theft deterrent software” for millions of car owners in the United States amid reports that a viral social media trend has led to an increase in thefts of its vehicles that lack push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement on Tuesday that the effort is in response to a TikTok challenge that has spread nationwide and “has resulted in at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities.”
These viral videos, which have been circulating on the Chinese-owned social media platform since May, show viewers how to hot-wire into Hyundai and Kia vehicles made between 2010 and 2021 with a USB cord and a screwdriver….