This echoes what happened in 2004 with Kryptonite locks and Bic pens.

Someone figured out that you could open a Kryptonite lock using a Bic pen, which has roughly the same shape as a tubular lock key. You did not need to use the actual key or pick the lock. There was a rash of bike thefts afterwards.

TikTok is a convenient scapegoat, but I think the problem would exist without TikTok, because it so closely echoes a similar situation from 2004. To be honest, I think that the manufacturer should bear the blame in both scenarios—it’s their responsibility to make sure that the products can withstand, for at least a few minutes, an unskilled thief with inconspicuous, unpowered, commonly available tools (like, a thief with no lock picks or angle grinders).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5efaWSWwlk

When that happened Kryptonite voluntarily created a free lock replacement program, where if you owned a tubular cylinder Kryptonite lock they replaced it for free, postage paid.

Clearly the answer is to sue TikTok too. You’re brilliant be sure to demand a consulting fee.

Those charts are great, really drives home how quickly trends like this explode and increase total car theft. Also interesting how regional it is, the exploit at its peak quadrupled car thefts in Milwaukee in less than a year so Baltimore has plenty of room for things to get worse.

Am I missing something, or did they not do anything to adjust for how many Kias/Hyundais are in those cities?

That could explain why some cities saw much bigger spikes than others - or it might not! Feels sloppy.

edit: this obviously doesn't negate your point, there's clearly an enormous spike. It's just weird since the article took the time to break it down by city, and to call attention to some cities seeing larger spikes than others.