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Hyundai and Kia car thefts fall sharply after software upgrade, study finds (www.cbsnews.com)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/technology

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A social media trend, dubbed the "Kia Challenge," has appeared to compound the automakers' problems in recent years, with people posting videos showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia cars. At its height, the Kia Challenge was linked to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 9 million vehicles have been impacted by the rash of thefts, including Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas as well as Kia Fortes and Souls. Hyundai and Kia earlier this year agreed to pay $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by drivers who had their vehicles stolen.

Technology is helping foil car thieves making life miserable for owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Hyundai and Kia upgraded their cars' anti-theft tech in early 2023. Vehicles equipped with the enhanced software will only start if the owner's key, or an identical duplicate, is in the ignition.

The rate at which the Korean automakers' cars are stolen has fallen by more than half since the companies upgraded their anti-theft software, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). Hyundai and Kia thefts have soared in recent years after criminals discovered that certain car models lacked engine immobilizers — technology that has long been standard in other vehicles.

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[+] LazaroFilm -9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (4 children)

Has biometric been considered for cars? I mean it’s used for phones and computers, why no cars. Maybe in addition to a key/fob. If it senses the fox and your biometrics (either finger or face or both even) it will start the car. If the car doesn’t recognize your biometrics, then you need to enter the key in the vehicle to start it. If it recognizes you can start it.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 4 months ago

We've already solved this issue without biometrics. The manufacturers just cheaped out on actually implementing it in the affected models.

[–] barsquid 10 points 4 months ago

Given that car manufacturers cannot stop themselves from sending fuckloads of data about drivers, I do not want them to have any biometric scanners whatsoever.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I have never had a phone that has successfully unlocked the first time using biometrics. I wouldn't say it is a solved problem or a solution. There are also implications with law enforcement when using biometrics. They can't force you to unlock something with a password, but they can forcefully unlock something with your fingerprint.

[–] bandwidthcrisis 6 points 4 months ago

The older fingerprint readers that were on the back or below the screen worked perfectly and near-instantly (I've used several Nexus, Pixel and Moto phones).

At least some of the newer in-screen readers are slow and unreliable. I've heard that the ultrasonic ones are better.

[–] barsquid 3 points 4 months ago

The 5th Amendment is a nonissue here. If they have a warrant for your phone and you don't give up the password it is hard to get in. If they have a warrant for your car and you don't open it for them they will just smash a window. I doubt our cars are bothering to encrypt any of the ridiculous amounts of telemetry they collect.

[–] TheIllustrativeMan 2 points 4 months ago

Ironically, I think Hyundai is the only company currently doing biometrics. They have a face unlock and fingerprint start on the GV60 in some markets iirc.