DIGITAL LIFE

TikTok teaches teenagers to steal cars

Stupidity has no limits. While TikTok has seen some fun challenges on its platform, some are far more dangerous, if not illegal. We recently had the death of a 12-year-old boy after he participated in the "blackout challenge", which consisted of choking until he passed out in front of the camera.

As if that wasn't enough to raise awareness, a new illegal challenge recently appeared on the platform, called the “Kia Challenge”. The latter shows users of the social network how to steal certain Kia and Hyundai models, simply by removing the plastic cover located under the steering column and using a USB cable.

That trend exploded last year in Milwaukee, with Kia models made from 2011 onwards and Hyundais made from 2015 onwards apparently being the main targets. Thieves used USB cables or screwdrivers to start the car after removing the steering column. Presumably a USB cable can be used to turn the ignition switch which in turn starts the vehicle and unlocks the steering. The Hyundai or Kia can then go forward and restart at any time using the same cable.

Thieves take stolen cars on high-speed rides to make your TikTok videos more interesting. These show wild curves and completely crazy driving, which has already claimed the lives of several thieves, and pedestrians.

Fortunately, not all Kias suffer from the same security flaw. Apparently the newer 2022 models have new anti-theft technology that should prevent these types of incidents, but Pennsylvania police are warning people with older models to keep an eye on their vehicles because the "Kia Challenge" went viral. TikTok somehow tries to strengthen the detection of dangerous challenges, but not all of them are detected in time.

This Kia Challenge is yet another challenge to add to people's stupidity.

mundophone