A cyberattack on a U.S. vehicle breathalyzer company has left drivers across the United States stranded and unable to start their vehicles. The company, Intoxalock, states it is currently experiencing downtime following a cyberattack on March 14. Intoxalock sells breathalyzer devices that fit into vehicle ignition switches, used by individuals required to provide a negative alcohol breath sample to start their car.
An Intoxalock spokesperson confirmed the company was hit by a cyberattack and took steps to temporarily pause some systems as a precautionary measure. These breathalyzer devices require calibration every few months, but the cyberattack has prevented Intoxalock from performing these calibrations. The company said customers whose devices need calibration may experience delays starting their vehicles.
Drivers posting on social media say that cars are unable to start if they miss a calibration, effectively locking them out of their vehicles. According to local news reports, drivers in states like Maine are experiencing lockouts, with some completely unable to start their cars. One auto shop reported having cars parked in its lot all week due to the cyberattack.
News reports from across the United States show affected drivers from New York to Minnesota, unable to drive because their vehicle breathalyzers cannot be immediately calibrated. Intoxalock would not specify the type of cyberattack, such as ransomware or a data breach, or whether it had received any communications from the hackers. The company’s technology is used in 46 states, providing services to approximately 150,000 drivers every year. Intoxalock did not provide an estimated timeline for recovery.