The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) has decided not to impose fines on Tesla following its investigation into Sentinel Mode cameras. As a reminder, the institution had judged that these cameras could represent a violation of the laws on the protection of privacy.
Since 2020, owners of Tesla vehicles can enjoy an exclusive feature: Sentinel mode. This tool uses the vehicle’s various cameras to monitor suspicious activity around your Tesla when it is parked and locked.
As soon as suspicious movements are detected, the cameras start recording, while the alarm system is activated. In parallel, the user receives a notification to warn him of the incident. As of October 2021, Sentinel Mode received an additional feature. Via Sentinel Mode Live Camera Accessusers can access video feeds from the cameras directly on their smartphone.
Sentinel Mode and Pedestrian Rights Concerns
Since the launch of Sentinel Mode, several state authorities have found that this feature may violate local data protection laws. In 2021, Switzerland, for example, recommended that users deactivate Sentinel mode, so as not to risk violating data protection law. Indeed, it has been proven that some recordings were sometimes sent to Tesla for analysiswhich is not permitted under Swiss law.
For its part, the Dutch data protection authority (DPA) had launched similar investigations into the Sentinel mode. And precisely, we have just learned that the DPA chose not to fine Tesla. Here again, the organization had declared that the Sentinel mode could constitute a violation of the image rights of pedestrians who are filmed without their knowledge.
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No fine for Tesla after this investigation on the Sentinel Mode
“Many Teslas parked on the street would often film everyone who approached the vehicle, and these images were saved for a very long time. If all cars could do this, we would have a situation where no one could go anywhere in public without being watched.” DPA board member Katja Mur told our colleagues at Reuters.
Following this investigation, Tesla has decided to make some changes to Sentinel Mode. First of all, it is specified on the Tesla site that saved files are end-to-end encrypted and that she cannot consult them. In addition, the car’s headlights are now used to warn passers-by that recording has started.
Finally and this is the most important pointTesla owners now face criminal liability when using Sentinel Mode. Their approval is also required when a recording begins. “It is your sole responsibility to review and comply with all local laws and applicable restrictions on the property regarding the use of cameras”. writes the manufacturer on its official website. Faced with these changes, the DPA chose to drop the possible charges against Tesla.