Cyberattack on vehicle breathalyzer company leaves drivers stranded across the US

A recent cyberattack on a prominent U.S. breathalyzer manufacturer has caused significant disruption, leaving countless drivers stranded across the country. Intoxalock, the company at the center of this incident, reported on its website that it is currently facing operational downtime due to the attack that occurred on March 14. Intoxalock specializes in breathalyzer devices that integrate with vehicle ignition systems, which are essential for individuals required to provide a negative alcohol breath sample to operate their cars. Spokesperson Rachael Larson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is responding to the cyber incident by taking precautionary steps, including temporarily pausing certain systems. The attack has severely affected the company’s ability to conduct necessary calibrations on its devices, which are typically required every few months. As a result, many customers are experiencing difficulties starting their vehicles. Drivers have taken to platforms like Reddit to express their frustration, indicating that if a calibration is missed, their cars become inoperable. Reports from various states, including Maine, New York, and Minnesota, reveal that numerous drivers are encountering lockouts, with some unable to start their vehicles at all. An auto shop in Middleboro informed WCVB 5 in Boston that it has seen a backlog of cars parked on its lot for an entire week as a direct result of this cyberattack. While Intoxalock has not disclosed the specific nature of the cyberattack, such as whether it involves ransomware or a data breach, the company has not received any reported ransom demands. According to their website, Intoxalock’s technology is utilized in 46 states, serving approximately 150,000 drivers each year. However, the company has not provided any projections regarding when normal operations might resume.