Upper Merion Offering Free Wheel Locks In Response To TikTok Trend

May 22, 2023

UPPER MERION, PA — More police departments around southeastern Pennsylvania are offering free steering wheel lock devices in response to the TikTok trend-fueled thefts of certain vehicles.

Upper Mertion Township Police Department is the latest to provide the service to residents. Free lock devices for Hyundai and Kia cars will be provided at 175 W. Valley Forge Road in King of Prussia.

"This is for those who own one of these vehicles with proof of ownership and must be a resident of Upper Merion Township," police said.

Norristown offered a similar program back in February, and communities around the region have joined in.

TikTok videos have gone viral in recent months that teach criminals on exactly how to steal two types of cars, Kias and Hyundais. It has sparked a massive increase in thefts.

Officials say the videos are exploiting a manufacturing defect that allows them to easily be hot-wired with a USB phone charger cord.

Meanwhile, TikTok has been banned by government agencies across the nation, including in Pennsylvania, due to the app's connection to the Chinese government and security concerns.

The Pennsylvania Treasury department banned the app from devices in December.While the step is confined to just the small number of individuals who have Treasury-issued phones and tablets, it's reflective of broader and growing concern over the app's safety and ethics. Pennsylvania is one of 14 such states to have a department pass some form of a ban in recent months.