A Tesla owner in California has filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker, alleging that it violated the privacy of its customers. The lawsuit comes after a report by Reuters, which revealed that groups of Tesla employees had shared images and videos recorded by customers’ car cameras, including highly invasive footage, between 2019 and 2022.
According to the lawsuit, filed by San Francisco resident Henry Yeh, Tesla employees had access to these images and videos for their “tasteless and tortious entertainment”. Yeh, who owns Tesla’s Model Y, alleges that this conduct was a violation of his family’s privacy, which is protected by the California Constitution. (via Reuters)
The lawsuit is seeking to represent a class of individuals who have owned or leased a Tesla within the past four years. It alleges that Tesla’s conduct is “particularly egregious” and “highly offensive”. The complaint asks the court to enjoin (prohibit) Tesla from violating customers’ privacy and to recover actual and punitive damages.
This lawsuit highlights the importance of privacy in the age of connected cars. As cars become more connected and autonomous, they are equipped with more cameras and sensors than ever before. While these features can improve safety and convenience, they also raise concerns about privacy and security.
Tesla has not yet commented on the lawsuit. However, the company has recently stated that it takes privacy seriously, sharing a video and launching a new page on its website to highlight the measures it takes to protect customer data.
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