The recent explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas has ignited concerns over privacy, as the carmaker swiftly tracked the driver’s movements and confirmed the cause of the incident.
Las Vegas police reported that the truck, loaded with fireworks, burst into flames outside the Trump International Hotel, injuring seven people.
Tesla’s data revealed the driver, Matthew Livelsberger, had traveled from Denver to Las Vegas and confirmed the fire was caused by explosives, not the vehicle.
“I have to thank Elon Musk, specifically,” said Sheriff Kevin McMahill. “He gave us quite a bit of additional information.”
Privacy experts, however, expressed alarm at Tesla’s ability to monitor drivers. “It reveals the kind of sweeping surveillance going on,” said David Choffnes of Northeastern University.
Tesla has previously faced criticism for sharing sensitive driver data, including videos from its self-driving cameras. The company insists it protects customer privacy, stating, “Your information is kept private and secure.”
Auto analyst Sam Abuelsamid noted that Tesla isn’t alone in collecting extensive data. “Consumers need to have control over their data,” he said.
The incident highlights the tension between safety and privacy in increasingly connected vehicles, with calls growing for stricter data protection laws.
