A German consumer association has accused US manufacturer Tesla of failings regarding the privacy of data on its electric vehicles, as well as misleading claims about reducing CO2 emissions.
The federation of consumer organizations VZBV, one of the most important in Germany, announced this Tuesday (19) that it has started “a lawsuit against Tesla in the Berlin court”.
In a statement, the association warns of the cameras of Elon Musk’s electric cars.
Tesla customers say they are unaware that information about the use of sentinel mode – whereby the cameras monitor the car’s surroundings – violates European data privacy laws, VZBV explained.
In the manufacturer’s new models, cameras record what happens inside, but also outside, allowing the vehicle to be tracked when it is stationary.
Users of this function “must obtain consent from passers-by near the car for the processing of their personal data,” said Heiko Dünkel, a lawyer at VZBV.
It is therefore “virtually impossible” to comply with data protection regulations when using this function, added Dünkel, who warned that drivers “risk fines”.
According to VZBV, Tesla also misleads its customers with ads touting the climate benefits of buying its cars.
The US automaker’s sale of “emissions credits” to competing companies meant that other automakers could “emit more”, which was not clear to buyers, according to the consumer association.
Tesla opened its first factory in Europe this year outside Berlin. The manufacturer plans to produce around 500,000 vehicles a year in the German capital.
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