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NYPD gives out free AirTags to fight TikTok car theft trend


The New York Police Department (NYPD) has announced that it is switching to Apple AirTags to help crack down on the growing car thefts attributed to a TikTok challenge.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a recent press conference the NYPD is handing out 500 free AirTags to help vehicle owners track their vehicles in the event of theft.

Mayor Adams said there is a link between the increase in car thefts in New York and a group in the US calling themselves “Kia Boyz,” which publishes tutorials on how to steal certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles with their own devices. USB cable.

Both Hyundai and Kia then release a software update to address this theft vulnerability in the US.

However, this particular vulnerability is not present in Australian vehicles, as our government has made immobilizers mandatory in all new vehicles since 2001. These devices are now compliant. Standard on all Hyundai and Kia models for the U.S. market starting in 2022.

“You’re going to see the spike we’re experiencing right now largely due to what’s happening on social media,” said Mayor Adams.

“When you go to TikTok, they really show in this car theft challenge, they actually show you how to use your everyday phone charger cord, how to start the car.”

NYPD Director John Chell said the city had 966 Hyundai and Kia vehicles stolen this year, 819 more than in all of 2022.

“This is a simple AirTag hidden in a car in a location that one doesn’t know is a great tracking device. It’s easy to follow,” said Mayor Adams.

“Suddenly you get a warning that your car is moving. It actually shows you in real time the location of the vehicle.”

It’s worth noting that AirTags are typically used to track items like suitcases, wallets or keys, but can be useful when tracking a stolen vehicle.

Even so, Apple added a feature in 2021 to notify iPhone users when an unknown AirTag is traveling with them to help combat tracking. This is likely to defeat the purpose of these tracking devices in this case.

The NYPD won’t have access to the real-time location of the AirTags they’re donating, Mayor Adams noted that people will need to notify the police department that their vehicle was stolen and then allow it to follow. track their car.

As previously reported, this method of stealing some U.S. spec Hyundai and Kia vehicles requires nothing more than the use of a short USB cable end as a temporary outlet to turn on the ignition and burn. security behind the plastic layer surrounding the steering column.

It requires criminals to find a vehicle with an open door or smash a window to get inside. This method does not circumvent alarm systems or aftermarket immobilizers, however, thieves are able to avoid setting factory alarms by climbing into windows instead of opening them.

THAN: TikTok trend forces Kia and Hyundai to update security software
THAN: USB cable to steal Kia and Hyundai cars is targeted in the ‘challenge’

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