Police Investigate 80 Tesla Owners in South Korea for Bypassing FSD Restrictions
Written with artificial intelligence.
South Korean police are investigating 80 Tesla owners accused of illegally circumventing Full Self-Driving (FSD) restrictions using external devices. The authorities have confiscated 21 unlocking devices and highlight the risks associated with unauthorized FSD usage.
Investigation Overview
In Seoul, South Korea, police are looking into 80 Tesla owners who allegedly used external devices to bypass restrictions on the Full Self-Driving (FSD) features of their vehicles. Reports from the Korea JoongAng Daily indicate that these drivers utilized homemade or imported devices to circumvent regional software locks that prevent FSD use on most Tesla models in the country.
Mechanics of the Devices
While specific details about the devices used remain undisclosed by law enforcement, experts believe they were connected via the CAN bus, which links the vehicle's control units. This method likely allowed the owners to disable the restrictions imposed on FSD features. Images of one such device have been shared with media outlets, showing its potential role in this illegal activity.
Potential Risks
The police have expressed concerns regarding the safety implications of using FSD in this unauthorized manner. There are indications that the FSD system may not operate correctly under these circumstances, potentially leading to dangerous situations on the road. One owner reportedly sourced their unlocking device from Europe, while another allegedly crafted their device using IT knowledge and information from GitHub, where tips on bypassing FSD locks were shared.
Legal Consequences
Despite many affected Tesla owners legally purchasing FSD as an option, they are still unable to utilize it due to regulatory restrictions in South Korea. Currently, only the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck are approved for FSD in the country. Violators of the law could face penalties including imprisonment for up to two years or fines reaching 20 million Won (approximately 13,400 Euros). The police have been investigating since April following reports from the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding illegal FSD usage.