In Brief
In South Korea, an investigation has been opened into 80 Tesla owners accused of illegally unlocking the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature via unauthorized devices. This action is treated as a serious offense, exposing the suspects to prison time and heavy fines. FSD, reserved for certain Tesla models, is allowed only within a strict legal framework. The use of pirate boxes raises road-safety concerns and underscores the authorities’ heightened vigilance over the manipulation of driving-assistance systems.
In South Korea, some Tesla owners tried to go faster than the law. Investigators accuse them of illegally activating the FSD driving function on their vehicles. This software handles many driving tasks, but it remains classified as a level-2 driver assistance system. The consequence is the threat of prison time and heavy fines. A software “unlock” that goes far beyond traditional tuning.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, 80 people are suspected of using unauthorized devices to unlock FSD. The agency said on Tuesday that the boxes were purchased in Europe or China, or were homemade. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had requested the investigation be opened in April. For authorities, enabling Full Self-Driving without the manufacturer’s consent is already an illegal modification of a safety system. And this South Korean case raises questions beyond Seoul, as FSD is not authorized in France.
Illegal Boxes to Unlock Tesla FSD Under Police Scrutiny
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency describes motorists who illegally activated Full Self-Driving with the help of unauthorized devices. The highway-crimes unit seized 21 devices. They believe these manipulations violate the Motor Vehicle Management Act. Investigators describe a genuine “jailbreak” of Teslas, forcibly lifting the software restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. To police, this bypass of software protections directly jeopardizes road safety.
A police official described the risks observed after initial technical checks. “Safety risks have been confirmed, including the possibility that FSD may not correctly recognize traffic conditions or may operate differently from the driver’s intentions,” said a police official quoted by the Korea JoongAng Daily. Investigators cite a suspect who allegedly bought a box in Europe to use assisted driving without authorization. Another, who works in IT, supposedly built a device from information found on GitHub. The suspects were exchanging online advice on unlocking FSD and erasing traces in the car, according to police.
FSD Reserved for a Minority of Tesla in South Korea, Under a Strict Legal Framework
In Korea, the Full Self-Driving feature is legally available only on certain US-built Teslas. For example, the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. These vehicles enjoy a safety-certification exemption thanks to the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (Korea-U.S. FTA). The Model 3 and Model Y produced in China did not meet Korea’s standards for FSD, so those models are not authorized to use it.
Among the 229,311 Teslas on the roads in August, only 47,458 could activate Full Self-Driving. That accounts for 20.7% of the fleet, according to Carisyou Data Lab. For the government, this kind of manipulation violates the Motor Vehicle Management Act, which governs vehicle safety. It forbids modifying software that could affect a vehicle’s safety. Offenders face up to two years in prison or a 20 million won fine. That’s about €14,000.
“We are working closely with the relevant agencies, asking the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority for guidance on technical questions such as changes to the functional structure of FSD,” said a police official. “We will continue to actively investigate illegal acts that threaten road safety.”
Comparative Table
| FSD-Authorized Models | Total Teslas on the Road | Teslas Authorized for FSD | % of Eligible Vehicles | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S, Model X, Cybertruck (US-made) | 229,311 | 47,458 | 20.7% | Up to 2 years in prison or 20 million won (~€14,000) |
Key Takeaways
- 80 Tesla owners in South Korea are under investigation for illegally unlocking the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.
- The use of pirate hardware boxes is illegal and can lead to prison time and hefty fines.
- FSD is authorized only on certain US-built models with an exemption.
- These software manipulations pose real road-safety risks, according to authorities.
- Only 20.7% of Korean Teslas can legally enable FSD.
- South Korean police are stepping up the fight against hacking of driver-assistance systems.
FAQ
Why are some Tesla owners being targeted by authorities in South Korea?
They are suspected of illegally enabling the Full Self-Driving autonomous driving function using unauthorized devices.
What risks do the involved drivers face?
They face up to two years in prison or a fine of 20 million won (~€14,000).
Which Tesla models can legally use FSD in South Korea?
Only US-made Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, with an exemption, are authorized for FSD.
What risks does illegally unlocking FSD pose?
Malfunctions can occur, such as misrecognition of traffic conditions or unpredictable vehicle behavior.
Is FSD authorized in France?
No, the Full Self-Driving feature is not authorized on French roads.
