Tesla Fixes Mobile Key Access Bug, Pays $300 Reward

Photo: The Kilowatts

The Kilowatts shared a new video on Tuesday detailing an issue with Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs) affecting mobile key access, which allows users to control who else has access to their car.

As is, the bug would require the main owner of the Tesla to remember to revoke access to drivers who are done using their vehicle, so they won’t be able to access the vehicle’s functions via the app or remove the owner.

Ryan of The Kilowatts also encouraged Tesla to fix the bug in the video, even saying he hopes that by the time the video is published, the automaker will have already fixed the issue. In fact, upon sharing the video, Tesla paid Ryan and The Kilowatts $300 for discovering the bug.

Tesla regularly pays out a “bounty” to users who discover major security flaws and issues.

In January, one German teenager discovered a flaw in Tesla’s software that let him hack the company’s vehicles globally. The teen went on to share the issue with some of the automaker’s engineers to help them fix it.

Tesla also has a page on the popular hacking website Bug Crowd showcasing some of the company’s products and hacking opportunities, the prizes they’re worth, and even some of the recent top hackers who have helped the automaker fix bugs.

You can watch Ryan of The Kilowatts talk through the process of helping fix Tesla’s mobile access issue in the video below:

YouTube video