Porsche owners across Russia were unable to start their vehicles without warning. The German automaker claimed the sudden immobilization was due to an issue with the Vehicle Tracking System, a satellite security feature intended to protect against auto theft. In reality, Porsche admitted to the world that automakers have the ability to control modernized cars in real-time.
The loss of satellite connectivity signaled a potential auto theft and, therefore, an immediate deactivation. The engine immobilizer turned on simultaneously for hundreds of vehicles across Russia without warning. The blackout that affected every model post-2013 that contained the tracking satellite programming. Some owners reported success after disconnecting their car batteries for 10 hours, and others managed to reboot the VTS module, but the majority instantly lost access to transportation.
Porche denies any potential wrongdoing. No hacking organizations have come forward. The manufacturer insists it was a mere malfunction that just so happened to target vehicles in Russia.
Porche followed Germany in cutting ties with Russia at the start of the 2022 war in Ukraine. Could the company or government have been testing a digital war tactic? Politics aside, global citizens should be aware that their cars can be controlled by the manufacturer, governments, or bad actors. There have been countless isolated cases of this occurring throughout the years, but this incident proves that it could happen on a nationwide basis instantaneously. Perhaps we will see the day when older cars without digital features are prized and rise in value.