A class action lawsuit has been filed against Tesla, alleging that the company violated California’s state Constitution, California privacy laws, and its own privacy policies. The suit was filed in the US District Court in Northern California by law firm Fitzgerald Joseph LLP on behalf of Henry Yeh, a Tesla owner in San Francisco.
The lawsuit comes after news broke of Tesla employees sharing private videos internally. According to Reuters, these videos included pictures of dogs, funny road signs, and other innocuous content, but also included videos of the inside of garages, of owners’ children, and even a video of a man approaching a vehicle naked.
The suit claims that Tesla misled customers about data privacy and seeks recovery of actual and punitive damages in excess of $5 million. It also asks for Tesla to be enjoined from continuing this behavior.
The lawsuit claims that there are significant potential costs to Tesla customers related to privacy. In order to disable the car’s cameras, an owner would need to pay a professional to disable them, thus reducing paid-for functionality of the car. One former Tesla employee quoted by Insider said that he put tape over his own car’s cameras for a time, after seeing how much access to information Tesla had.
It remains to be seen whether this is a legitimate class action and whether Fitzgerald Joseph LLP will be able to move forward representing the class. The law firm filing this doesn’t have access to the evidence in question yet, that will come later during discovery. But this lawsuit is a reminder that companies must take data privacy seriously and ensure that customers’ data is secure and not shared without their consent.
FAQ
Q1. When will electric cars be available in the UK?
A1. Electric cars are already available in the UK and can be purchased from a variety of dealerships.
Q2. Where can I find electric car charging stations near me?
A2. You can find electric car charging stations near you by using online maps or apps such as PlugShare or ChargePoint.
Q3. Which electric car is the best?
A3. The best electric car depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some popular models include the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevrolet Bolt EV.
