BYD confirms hacking claim: Fix developed for 2026 BYD Shark 6 following extensive investigation into the popular ute

BYD has revealed key details following vehicle hacking concerns emerging in an ABC Four Corners investigation.

BYD acknowledged someone can gain unauthorised access to the Shark 6 ute’s developer-only software and also control functions like headlights and windscreen wipers.

The brand said this access can only be approved by a prompt on the ute’s central touchscreen and tapping into vehicle wiring.

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It is still investigating whether these issues affect other models in its line-up.

BYD will issue a future over-the-air update to fix software issues and continue to assess what other changes are necessary.

BYD said someone must manually approve the access via a prompt on the car’s central touchscreen for internal protection to be bypassed.

The brand said cybersecurity expert Dan Hreszczuk in the Four Corners report exploited a software defect to enable the ADB and then install a third-party app.

BYD has announced it will remove the software pathway that could approve access through the Shark 6's central touchscreen.

It will roll out this fix in a future over-the-air (OTA) update, following a validation process.

As a result, BYD will implement new security measures, including device authentication and physical isolation to increase cybersecurity safeguards.

It will conduct a risk assessment to evaluate the necessity of additional measures to prevent unapproved access to the vehicle's CAN.

Hreszczuk said by unpicking the software programs controlling different functions on the ute, he could blast music over the speakers and remotely switch the car’s lights on and off.

“It’s a little bit scary how open … the BYD Shark is to a hacker,” Hreszczuk told the ABC.