Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Highlights Privacy Concerns

Tesla’s ability to gather detailed data from a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas has raised significant privacy concerns, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

While the data was instrumental in aiding police investigations, it raises questions about privacy. I Photo: Tesla Asia X

The Jan. 1 explosion, which burned the driver beyond recognition and injured seven others, showcased Tesla’s rapid data collection capabilities. Within hours, the company had tracked driver Matthew Livelsberger’s movements in detail, from Denver to Las Vegas.

While the data was instrumental in aiding police investigations, it raises questions about privacy.

“It reveals the kind of sweeping surveillance going on,” said David Choffnes, Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute at Northeastern University.

Jodi Daniels, CEO of Red Clover Advisors, questioned, “Where is the line between useful and invasive?”

Modern vehicles often collect sensitive information such as call logs, texts, and location data through cell phone syncing.

Tesla’s use of cameras for self-driving features introduces additional risks, especially following reports that employees shared sensitive videos between 2019 and 2022.

Sam Abuelsamid, an auto analyst at Telemetry Insight, commented, “Tesla isn’t necessarily worse than other automakers, but consumers need to have control over their data.”