Hack of Iowa Breathalyzer Company Leaves 150,000 Cars Unable to Start

A cyberattack on Intoxalock, an Iowa-based manufacturer of ignition interlock devices, disrupted breathalyzer-equipped vehicles across the United States, leaving approximately 150,000 cars unable to start. The interlock devices, which require drivers to pass a breath test before the engine will engage, went offline after the company's central servers were compromised. Intoxalock's systems are mandated by courts for drivers convicted of impaired driving offenses. When the devices lost connectivity to the company's network, many defaulted to lockout mode, stranding drivers. The company acknowledged the incident and said it was working to restore service. The attack highlights the vulnerability of connected vehicle systems to cyber disruption, particularly when those systems are tied to court-ordered compliance programs affecting tens of thousands of people.