New York City has joined several other US states in filing a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai following a TikTok challenge. The latter encourages users to steal cars from manufacturers by exploiting the lack of anti-theft protection. The challenge has led to a sharp increase in car thefts in the metropolis.
For several months, a controversial challenge has been raging on TikTok: the “Kia challenge”. The principle of the latter is simple. Just film yourself stealing a car from the brand, then post the video on the Chinese social network. Needless to say, this little challenge turns out to be particularly dangerous. Last October, 4 teenagers were killed in a car accident as a result of one of these famous thefts.
While the popularity of the challenge still does not seem to be falling, the authorities have decided to take action. While one might think that TikTok would be targeted by reprisals, it is in truth Kia, as well as its sidekick Hyundai, also acclaimed for the challenge, which are now accumulating complaints of negligence. Indeed, several American states accuse manufacturers of not sufficiently protecting their vehicles against theft.
TikTok’s Kia Challenge causes legal worries for automakers
Indeed, Kia and Hyundai cars manufactured between 2015 and 2019 do not have an electronic system preventing a thief from seizing the vehicle, like what can be found in the competition. This explains the popularity of the two brands with TikTok users who are followers of the challenge. Result: Kia and Hyundai alone account for 19.3% of car thefts in New York this year, while only 2.9 of the cars registered in the city come from these manufacturers.
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The American city joins California, Milwaukee and the city of Cleveland in taking legal action against the two companies. The latter have also recently agreed to pay 200 million dollars to settle amicably a dispute between the victims of theft. In the United States, thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars increased by 660% compared to the previous year.
Source: The Verge