https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/20/cyberattack-on-vehicle-breathalyzer-company-leaves-drivers-stranded-across-the-us/

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A police officer administers a breathalyser breath alcohol test after
stopping a driver, on December 02, 2022 in Bournemouth, England.Image
Credits:Finnbarr Webster / Getty Images
Security
      

Cyberattack on vehicle breathalyzer company leaves drivers stranded
across the US

Zack Whittaker
8:01 AM PDT * March 20, 2026
      

A cyberattack on a U.S. vehicle breathalyzer company has left drivers
across the United States stranded and unable to start their vehicles.

The company, Intoxalock, says on its website that it is "currently
experiencing downtime" after a cyberattack on March 14. Intoxalock
sells breathalyzer devices that fit into vehicle ignition switches,
and is used by people who are required to provide a negative alcohol
breath sample to start their car.

Intoxalock spokesperson Rachael Larson confirmed to TechCrunch that
the company had been hit by a cyberattack. Larson said the company
took steps to "temporarily pause some of our systems as a
precautionary measure."

These breathalyzer devices need to be calibrated every few months or
so, but the cyberattack has left Intoxalock unable to perform these
calibrations. The company said customers whose devices require
calibration may experience delays starting their vehicles.

Drivers posting on Reddit say that cars are unable to start if they
miss a calibration, effectively locking drivers out of their
vehicles.

According to local news reports across Maine, drivers are
experiencing lockouts and some have been unable to start their
vehicles. One auto shop in Middleboro told WCVB 5 in Boston that it
has had cars parked in its lot all week due to the cyberattack.

News reports from across the United States show drivers are affected
from New York to Minnesota, and drivers have been unable to drive
because their vehicle-based breathalyzers cannot be immediately
calibrated.

Intoxalock would not say what kind of cyberattack it was
experiencing, such as ransomware or if there was a data breach, or
whether it had received any communications from the hackers,
including any ransom demands. The company's technology is used in 46
states, its website says, and it claims to provide services to
150,000 drivers every year.

Intoxalock did not provide an estimated timeline for its recovery.

Topics

alcohol, cybersecurity, data breach, Security, Transportation
      
Zack Whittaker
Zack Whittaker

Security Editor

   

Zack Whittaker is the security editor at TechCrunch. He also authors
the weekly cybersecurity newsletter, this week in security.

He can be reached via encrypted message at zackwhittaker.1337 on
Signal. You can also contact him by email, or to verify outreach, at
zack.whittaker@techcrunch.com.

View Bio
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