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The security of customer data is a top priority at Tesla. This is how the manufacturer of electric cars describes it on its website when it comes to autopilot functionality. With eight external cameras and powerful image processing in every new Tesla vehicle, the goal is to ensure driver safety – and nothing more.
Reports have now come out that may shake confidence in Tesla and its billionaire founder Elon Musk (51). Nine former employees allege groups of Tesla employees shared private videos and images from various customers’ dash cams through an internal messaging system between 2019 and 2022. This is reported by Reuters news agency.
Also published accident videos
Some recordings contain embarrassing customer situations. A former employee described a video of a man approaching a vehicle completely naked. According to the report, there were also recordings of traffic accidents, garages and private property in the internal chats.
As “The Guardian” reports, there is even alleged to be video of a Tesla vehicle speeding into a residential area and hitting a child on a bicycle. The video spread like wildfire in a Tesla office in San Mateo, California.
The employees even had access to Musk’s garage. According to “Driven”, they would have seen the underwater car “Wet Nellie” from a Bond movie, which he bought in 2013. When asked by Reuters, Musk declined to comment.
It is understood that the distribution of such personal content may be considered a violation of Tesla’s own privacy policy. The Federal Trade Commission, an independent consumer protection agency in the US, could even intervene to ensure that Tesla adequately protects its customers.
Not the first controversy surrounding Tesla systems
The use of cameras for Tesla’s driver assistance and safety systems has recently attracted controversy.
Tesla vehicles are known to have been banned from Chinese military complexes over concerns that the vehicle’s cameras could collect sensitive information. However, Musk insists that the company does not use its vehicles for espionage purposes.
It remains to be seen how this potential scandal will affect Tesla’s reputation. However, one thing is certain: customers will think twice about whether or not to buy a Tesla vehicle. (chs)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
