Title: TikTok Video Costs Hyundai and Kia $200 Million

Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp have agreed to a $200 million settlement for a class-action lawsuit from consumers concerning the theft of vehicles produced by the two South Korean companies, according to announcements from attorneys representing the car owners and the companies themselves on Thursday. The companies stated in February that they would roll out software updates for up to 8.3 million vehicles in the U.S. lacking engine immobilizer systems to help reduce the rising car thefts using a method that has spread via TikTok and other social media platforms. Attorneys for the car owners mentioned that "the settlement involves approximately 9 million affected individuals and includes up to $145 million for compensation related to direct losses for owners whose cars were stolen." Hyundai and Kia noted that they "will compensate owners whose vehicles were stolen or damaged, as well as provide payments to reimburse insurance deductibles, increased premiums, and other theft-related losses." For consumers whose vehicles cannot accommodate the security software updates, the companies will offer up to $300 for purchasing steering wheel locks and other anti-theft devices. Regulatory authorities reported in February that "videos on TikTok demonstrating how to steal cars that do not have a push-start button and lack engine immobilizer systems have resulted in at least 14 collisions and 8 fatalities in the U.S."