NYPD (New York City Police Department), one of the largest police agencies in the USA, announced that 500 free Apple AirTag tracking devices will be distributed to drivers as part of the measures it has initiated against vehicle thefts.
At a press conference on Sunday, New York Mayor Eric Adams attributed the spike in thefts to viral TikTok videos known as the “Kia Boyz”. In the videos published, it was shown how the vehicles could be started without a key by taking advantage of the security vulnerabilities in Kia and Hyundai.
Even if the brands in question later released software updates to close the vulnerability, this does not mean that all drivers without exception have installed the necessary patch. “What’s happening right now is directly related to the content on social media,” said New York City Mayor Adams.
Car theft skyrocketed
According to the NYPD, 966 Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been stolen from the streets of the city since the beginning of 2023. This is a huge increase compared to the 819 vehicles stolen in the whole last year. Law enforcement aims to teach citizens to use modern technology to protect their vehicles, with a campaign where AirTag tracking devices will be distributed free of charge.
It should be noted that Apple AirTag is used to locate lost items. The tracking device also helps people find the geolocation of their stolen cars. Companies such as Samsung and Huawei also have tracking devices that perform a similar task.
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