How new tech ended Toronto’s last car theft crisis — then started another

Toronto's escalating car theft crisis began subtly back in 2015, when theft rates were at record lows. The introduction of key fobs, replacing traditional car keys, was initially hailed as a victory against theft, especially by eliminating the need for hot-wiring. However, thieves quickly adapted, employing sophisticated tools to compromise the newer, tech-heavy vehicles. This marked the start of a new era, where car thefts surged once again.

Police and investigators began to notice criminals using devices to hack the radio signals emitted by key fobs, allowing them to steal cars without physical contact or breaking in. These “mouse-jacking” techniques, which became notorious across Europe and North America, allowed thieves to duplicate key fob signals from a distance, even through walls.

By 2023, Toronto faced a near 30% rise in car thefts, with other regions in Canada also seeing sharp increases. Criminals can now hack into a vehicle's security system in under a minute—a far cry from the half-hour it took a decade ago. Despite police efforts like “Project Stallion,” which recovered thousands of stolen vehicles, the root of the problem remains: automakers have failed to update their security systems to combat these new-age threats. As a result, vehicle owners are encouraged to take matters into their own hands, using Faraday bags, GPS trackers, and aftermarket immobilizers to protect their cars from this growing wave of tech-driven thefts.