Tesla Enters Model 3 into Pwn2Own Hacking Contest
Tesla makes history by entering the Model 3 into Pwn2Own, the first car in the famous hacking contest.
Tesla enters its Model 3 into the Pwn2Own hacking contest, making it the first car ever to participate in the famous 12-year-old event run by Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative. The winning hacker takes home a Model 3 as the ultimate prize. Pwn2Own Vancouver runs from March 20 to 22 and features five distinct categories, including a brand new automotive category alongside web browsers, virtualization, enterprise apps, and server-side software.
This move highlights Tesla's strong commitment to cybersecurity through its established bug bounty program, which runs since 2014. The company increases maximum rewards to $15,000 last year and expands the program to include energy products. Over the program's lifetime, Tesla awards over $4 million to security researchers who help identify vulnerabilities.
Tesla also implements a "safe harbor" policy that allows car owners to hack their own vehicles without voiding their warranties. If an owner accidentally bricks a car during security research, Tesla promises to reflash the vehicle over-the-air or at a service center. This supportive approach encourages ethical hacking and helps ensure the safety of Tesla's fleet.