Life behind bars for hack attacks on cars

Hacking car systems will mean life in jail for those who get busted in Michigan.

Following the FBI’s public service announcement warning people about risks of hacking into car software systems, the Michigan state senate is taking it seriously.

Car hacking will become a high-end offence like murder one or rape in the state – carrying a life sentence – if either or two bills before the senate are passed.

It will be a felony for someone to “intentionally access or cause access to be made to an electronic system of a motor vehicle to wilfully destroy, damage, impair, alter or gain unauthorised control of the motor vehicle.”

Senate Bills 927 and 928 have been sent to its judiciary committee – meaning the senate is taking the matter very, very seriously.

One bill sponsors, Senator Mike Kowall, has underlined the need to “try to keep up with technology.”

Life in jail may seem heavy-handed, but Kowall points out there’s a massive risk of injury and death with the crime.