Musk wanted to use Tesla cameras to spy on drivers and win autopilot lawsuits
Elon Musk pushed to use Tesla’s internal driver monitoring camera to record video of drivers’ behavior, primarily for Tesla to use this video as evidence to defend itself from investigations in the event of a crash, according to Walter Isaacson’s new biography of the Tesla CEO.
Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk is out, resulting in several revelations about Tesla’s past, present, and future. One of these revelations is a potential use for the Tesla internal driver monitoring camera that is included on current Teslas.
Many cars have a camera like this to monitor driver attentiveness and warn a driver if they seem to be paying too little attention to the road, though other automakers typically use infrared cameras and the data never leaves the car.
Teslas have had these cameras for many years, first showing up on the Model 3 in 2017 and later on the S/X, but they weren’t activated until 2021. Before that, Tesla determined attention by detecting steering wheel torque (a safety that was pretty easy to defeat).
Nowadays, the camera is used to ensure that drivers are still watching the road while Autopilot or FSD are activated, as both systems are “Level 2” self-driving systems and thus require driver attention. The hope, though, was to potentially use the camera for cabin monitoring if Tesla’s robotaxi dream is ever realized.
But that wasn’t the only thing Tesla wanted to use the cameras for. According to the biography, Musk pushed internally to use the camera to record clips of Tesla drivers, initially without their knowledge, with the goal of using this footage to defend the company in the event of investigations into the behavior of its Autopilot system.
Musk was convinced that bad drivers rather than bad software were the main reason for most of the accidents. At one meeting, he suggested using data collected from the car’s cameras—one of which is inside the car and focused on the driver—to prove when there was driver error. One of the women at the table pushed back. “We went back and forth with the privacy team about that,” she said. “We cannot associate the selfie streams to a specific vehicle, even when there’s a crash, or at least that’s the guidance from our lawyers.”
– Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk
The first point here is interesting because there are indeed a lot of bad drivers who misuse Autopilot and are certainly to blame for what happens while it’s activated.
As mentioned above, Autopilot and FSD are “Level 2” systems. There are six levels of self-driving – 0 through 5 – and levels 0-2 require active driving at all times, whereas with levels 3+, the driver can turn their attention away from the road in certain circumstances. But despite Tesla’s insistence that drivers still pay attention, a study has shown that driver attention does decrease with the system activated.
We have seen many examples of Tesla drivers behaving badly with Autopilot activated, though those egregious examples aren’t entirely the issue here. There have been many well-publicized Tesla crashes, and in the immediate aftermath of an incident, rumors often swirl about whether Autopilot was activated. Regardless of whether there is any reason to believe that it was activated, media reports or social media will often focus on Autopilot, leading to an often unfair public perception that there is a connection between Autopilot and crashing.
But in many of these cases, Autopilot eventually gets exonerated when the incident is investigated by authorities. Oftentimes, it’s a simple matter of the driver not using the system properly or relying on it where they should not. These exonerations often include investigations where vehicle logs are pulled to show whether Autopilot was activated, how often it had to remind the driver to pay attention, what speed the car was driving, and so on. Cameras could add another data point to those investigations.
Even if crashes happen due to human error, this could still be an issue for Tesla because human error is often a design issue. The system could be designed or marketed to better remind drivers of their responsibility (in particular, don’t call it “full self-driving” if it doesn’t drive itself, perhaps?), or more safeguards could be added to ensure driver attention.
The NHTSA is currently probing Tesla’s Autopilot system, and it looks like safeguards are what they’ll focus on – they’ll likely force changes to the way Tesla monitors drivers for safety purposes.
But then Musk goes on to suggest that not only are these accidents generally the fault of the drivers, but that he wants cabin cameras to be used to spy on drivers, with the specific purpose of wanting to win lawsuits or investigations brought against Tesla (such as the NHTSA probe). Not to enhance safety, not to collect data to improve the system, but to protect Tesla and his ego – to win.
In addition to this adversarial stance against his customers, the passage suggests that his initial idea was to collect this info without informing the driver, with the idea of adding a data privacy pop-up only coming later in the discussion.
Musk was not happy. The concept of “privacy teams” did not warm his heart. “I am the decision-maker at this company, not the privacy team,” he said. “I don’t even know who they are. They are so private you never know who they are.” There were some nervous laughs. “Perhaps we can have a pop-up where we tell people that if they use FSD [Full Self-Driving], we will collect data in the event of a crash,” he suggested. “Would that be okay?”
The woman thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “As long as we are communicating it to customers, I think we’re okay with that.”
-WALTER ISAACSON, ELON MUSK
Here, it’s notable that Musk says he is the decision-maker and that he doesn’t even know who the privacy team is.
In recent years and months, Musk has seemed increasingly distracted in his management of Tesla, recently focusing much more on Twitter than on the company that has catapulted him to the top of the list of the world’s richest people.
It might be good for him to have some idea of who the people working under him are, especially the privacy team, for a company that has active cameras running on the road, and in people’s cars and garages, all around the world, all the time – particularly when Tesla is currently facing a class action lawsuit over video privacy.
In April, it was revealed that Tesla employees shared videos recorded inside owners’ garages, including videos of people who were unclothed and ones where some personally identifiable information was attached. And in Illinois, a separate class action lawsuit focuses on the cabin camera specifically.
While Tesla does have a dedicated page describing its data privacy approach, a new independent analysis released last week by the Mozilla Foundation ranked Tesla in last place among car brands – and ranked cars as the worst product category Mozilla has ever seen in terms of privacy.
So, this blithe dismissal of the privacy team’s concerns does not seem productive and does seem to have had the expected result in terms of Tesla’s privacy performance.
Musk is known for making sudden pronouncements, demanding that a particular feature be added or subtracted, and going against the advice of engineers to be the “decision-maker” – regardless of whether the decision is the right one. Similar behavior has been seen in his leadership of Twitter, where he has dismantled trust & safety teams, and in the chaos of the takeover, he “may have jeopardized data privacy and security,” according to the DOJ.
While we don’t have a date for this particular discussion, it does seem to have happened at least post-2021, after the sudden deletion of radar from Tesla vehicles. The deletion of radar itself is an example of one of these sudden demands by Musk, which Tesla is now having to walk back.
For its part, Tesla does currently have a warning in the car that describes what the company will do with the data from your internal camera. This is what it looks like currently in a Model 3:
Tesla’s online Model 3 owner’s manual contains similar language describing the use of the cabin camera.
Notably, this language focuses on safety rather than driver monitoring. Tesla explicitly says that the camera data doesn’t leave the vehicle unless the owner opts in and that the data will help with future safety and functionality improvements. But also says that the data is not attached to a VIN, nor is it used for identity verification.
Beyond that, we also have not seen Tesla defend itself in any autopilot lawsuits or investigations by using the cabin camera explicitly – at least not yet. With driver monitoring in focus in the current NHTSA investigation, it’s entirely possible that we might see more usage of this camera in the future or that camera clips are being used as part of the investigation.
But at the very least, this language in current Teslas does suggest that Musk did not get his wish – perhaps to the relief of some of the more privacy-interested Tesla drivers.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The McDermitt Caldera is an extinct supervolcano on the Oregon-Nevada border that, depending on who you believe, is loaded with enough lithium to power 600 million electric cars. It begs the question: who will control the $1.5 trillion dollar mineral deposit?
Located at the southern end of the McDermitt Caldera, in Humboldt County, Nevada, the lithium (Li) deposit at Thacker Pass is believed to have estimated reserves of approximately 1.3 million tons of Li carbonate equivalent. That’s enough of the treasured material, on its own, to redraw world’s energy map.
Global lithium deposits
Recent calculations by Castor and Henry estimate an in situ tonnage of ~20 to 40 MT of Li (maximum 120 MT of Li) to be contained within sediments of the whole McDermitt caldera … even if this estimation is high due to variations in sediment thickness and/or Li grade, the Li inventory contained in McDermitt caldera sediments would still be on par with, if not considerably larger than, the 10.2 MT of Li inventory estimated to be contained in brines beneath the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, previously considered the largest Li deposit on Earth.
Spanish-language site Motorpasión reports that the McDermitt Caldera deposit packs enough lithium to produce a staggering 600 million electric cars, and could make the US (with the right policies in place) a global leader in the li-ion battery supply chain. So, of course, America’s biggest EV oligarchs are going to fight over it.
High stakes
Pickup trucks are big business in the US and, frankly, everywhere else — and both Musk and Bezos are hoping to get into that business in a big way, through the Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck, its (supposedly) less polarizing successor, and the upcoming low-cost Slate backed by the Amazon founder. And that doesn’t include GM (who have been arguing over the rights to the caldera for years already), Ford, Rivian (where Bezos, through Amazon, holds more than 13% of the shareholders’ vote), and others.
For both of them, controlling the caldera means more than money. It means securing control of one of the most strategic mineral sectors of this century. And, in late 2024 with the Trump-Musk bromance in full bloom, Musk publicly pushed mining operations to produce more nickel for EVs, invested in a massive lithium refinery in Texas, and promised even more EV production, making it look like Musk, through his political influence, might soon be granted control of the world’s largest lithium deposit.
“Elon’s always been there, now the megaphone is bigger,” one lithium producer, who was granted anonymity to speak freely, told Politico. “This is a pretty small space, so he’s always had a lot of truck.”
Then in June, the Trump-Musk bromance collapsed in dramatic fashion, with Musk launching a now-deleted tweet on X accusing the President of being “in the Epstein files,” launching a political controversy that is still gnawing at Trump.
The really big bomb
With Musk’s political influence largely spent as he starts his own America Party to “primary” sitting republicans who voted against his interests, that opens the door for others to start looking into American mineral rights — and Bezos, through his AI‑driven exploration startup KoBold Metals (which recently spent $1 billion to expand its footprint into the Democratic Republic of the Congo after inking a framework deal to buy AVZ Mineral’s stake in the Manono hard rock lithium deposit there), is perfectly placed to capitalize on that opportunity.
And, if there’s one thing guys like Jeff Bezos do well, it’s capitalize on an opportunity … and I wouldn’t expect him to happily send all that lithium he’s mining to Elon’s refinery, either.
What do you guys think? Are we headed for an epic showdown on the Oregon-Nevada border? If we are, who do you think would win? Let us know, in the comments.
Original content from Electrek.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Mercedes-Benz is quietly suspending orders on some of its most popular EV models in the US. The German luxury automaker has already halted the order bank for the electric EQS and EQE, both the sedan and SUV models.
Why is Mercedes pausing EV orders in the US?
Like most of the automotive industry, Mercedes is preparing for significant changes under the Trump Administration.
According to a new report from Automotive News, Mercedes has already paused orders for several EV models in the US, at least for the time being.
The order book for the electric EQS sedan, EQS SUV, EQE Sedan, and EQE SUV is now closed for dealers. Mercedes blamed the “current market conditions” for the decision.
Starting September 1, Mercedes will halt production of the EQS and EQE SUV models at its Vance, Alabama, plant for the US. However, it plans to continue building the electric vehicles at the facility to export to overseas markets.
Although dealers can’t order any more EQS or EQE models in the US, you can still find some for sale. Mercedes slashed prices by up to $15,000 on its remaining EV models earlier this month.
A Mercedes spokesperson told Kelley Blue Book last week that the EQB “has reached the end of its lifecycle as planned and therefore will not be offered in the US or Canada after model year 2025.”
Although it cited current market conditions, the changes come as the federal EV tax credit in the US is set to expire at the end of September.
Meanwhile, Mercedes is gearing up for “the largest product offensive” in company history. The new 2026 CLA EV is launching this fall, followed by two electric SUVs based on the same MMA platform. Mercedes will also unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC EV, in a little over a month at the Munich Motor Show.
Looking to score the savings while they are still available? You can use our links below to find offers on Mercedes EV models in your area.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Hands-on with the Infinite Machine P1: A futuristic electric scooter that’s built for everyday riders
Infinite Machine’s debut product looks like it was carved out of a steel block in a dystopian future. The design is bold, brutalist, and unapologetically industrial. As a first product offering, it does a great job of catching people’s attention. Whether you like the look or not is up to you, but there is no denying that it is a head-turner. So when I had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with it, I knew I had to jump at that chance.
And after just an hour of riding the P1 around NYC, I can confidently say this thing turns heads for good reason. It’s fast, futuristic, and fun. This is just a first impression, but I’ll have it for an extended period soon — so stay tuned for a deeper dive and complete review. For now, let’s talk about my experience.
The specs
Let’s start with all the specs on paper, so you can see what we are dealing with. There is a lot to like with the P1 because you get:
Power, battery & tech
- 6kW rear hub motor
- Top speed: 65 mph (with Turbo Boost)
- Up to 60 miles of range
- 3.2 kWh removable battery (72V 45Ah)
- Charges with a standard wall outlet
- 7” touchscreen with a clean, CarPlay-style interface
- Infinite Machine app: unlock/start, service, rider management, camera access, OTA updates
- GPS tracking and dual cameras
Safety & design
- ABS braking system
- Fire-resistant battery (UL 2271)
- Kickstand/Park throttle lock, automatic lock system, real-time alerts
- Front electronic wheel lock + motor lock
- Records with both front and rear cameras
- Room for two passengers
- No motorcycle license needed up to 30 mph
- Underseat storage, glovebox, and a bag hook
- Integrated helmet lock
When you see all this, it could almost be overwhelming — the power, the tech, the modular features. But once you’re on it, the P1 is highly approachable. Everything is integrated and easy to use, even for someone with little to no experience riding this type of vehicle. It’s designed to make city commuting feel seamless from day one.
Ride experience
As I mentioned in the beginning, I only had about an hour with the vehicle, so these are my first impressions. I was able to test two of the three drive modes: Eco and Normal. There is also a Sport mode and a speed boost feature that I will be testing in my full review. I got to about 35 to 40mph for this test drive while navigating the NYC streets. I thought this environment was fantastic to see what the feel would be because this is what the P1’s target customer is. Someone who lives in a densely populated city but still needs to travel a few miles daily and doesn’t want to be stuck in traffic or use public transit like subways and buses. We drove through streets filled with potholes, unpaved sections, cobblestone streets, and cars double-parked everywhere and the P1 handled all of it with ease. The front and rear suspension smoothed everything out, and I never once felt like I was losing control, even over all this urban terrain.
One thing that I noticed after a bit is that because it’s fully electric, the ride is dead silent. No motor noise, no hum, just wind and city sounds. It felt like I was gliding through the streets, which made the ride even more immersive and surreal in the best way.
Tech experience
For me, the tech is half the selling point of a product like this. Of course, ride quality is extremely important, but being used to driving a Tesla, I want my tech experience to be straightforward and work. The P1 does this and does it exceptionally well. Everything is controlled from the Infinite Machine App. I have not gotten to use it on my own phone, but they showed me how it all works, and if you are familiar with the Tesla app, then you will feel right at home. The app allows you to:
- Use your phone as your key
- Add additional riders
- Set up service
- Access the built-in front and rear cameras
- Get theft alerts and alarm triggers
- Receive over-the-air updates
The app allows for everything and syncs beautifully with the 7-inch touchscreen on the P1 itself. The display feels like a mini CarPlay hub, responsive, clean, and easy to navigate.
One thing I did notice, though, is that the speaker under the display is pretty quiet. With how silent the ride is, a more robust built-in speaker system would be awesome. Infinite Machine is already working on a Bluetooth speaker add-on, which could scratch that itch.
Safety & security measures
They thought of everything security-wise. It has auto-lock features that engage when unattended. If someone messes with it, you get an alert, a siren goes off, and the vehicle locks itself down via motor and front wheel locks. It even records video using its dual cameras, a big win for safety and peace of mind. The kickstand and Park mode disable the throttle, so you can’t accidentally start engaging the P1. I would feel confident leaving this parked outside and not worry about someone stealing it. If they somehow can load it on top of it, it has an LTE connection, so I will always know where it is. It even has a backup power source if the battery is removed to power all the P1 controls and features.
Final take
The Infinite Machine P1 is a very cool and unique-looking e-scooter that checks off most boxes people would want out of a high-end and premium electric scooter. It’s a bold, tech-driven, design-first approach to urban mobility that seems to deliver.
Yes, it’s early days. Yes, it’s a startup. Yes, it’s expensive at a $10,000 starting price. But if this is their first swing? I’m excited to see what comes next. As I stated, I will have a full review coming soon when I get the chance to actually live with the P1 and see what its like to use it daily.
Let me know what questions you would want answered from a full review.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike