Police book 80 people for illegally activating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode
South Korea’s Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has booked 80 individuals for using unauthorized devices to illegally activate Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature. Suspects either imported these illicit activation devices from overseas locations—such as Europe and China—or manufactured them independently using open-source technical details from platforms like GitHub. The government views this practice as illegal "jailbreaking" that modifies vehicle software and presents severe road safety risks, including system failure to properly recognize surrounding driving conditions.
Under South Korea's Motor Vehicle Management Act, modifying vehicle software that affects operational safety without authorization is strictly prohibited. FSD is currently legally permitted on only about 20% of Teslas in the country—specifically U.S.-built vehicles exempt from local safety certification under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Non-U.S. models, such as China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, have not cleared South Korean safety standards, making FSD activation on them illegal.
Following an April request from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, police launched a targeted investigation that has resulted in the seizure of 21 unauthorized devices. Authorities are coordinating with transportation safety experts to analyze changes to the software's functional structure and plan to continue cracking down on illegal vehicle modifications. Individuals found guilty of violating these software regulations face penalties of up to two years in prison or fines reaching 20 million won (approximately $15,000).
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source: https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/police-book-80-people-for-illegally-activating-teslas-full-selfdriving-mode/12940799 |
