Recently, owners of Tesla electric cars can deactivate remote control, an option that allows Elon Musk’s teams to take control of their vehicle.
Long criticized, the option for Tesla teams to take control can now be deactivated by drivers. The security gain is significant. However, a question arises: why is Tesla only offering this possibility now?
An option only available for a few days
As discovered by user @_bennettm on X.com, the ability to disable remote control appeared with Tesla software version 2023.27.7. This update dates from October 19, 2023, but the option seems to have been integrated a little later and gradually incorporated into Tesla vehicles with remote updates, since the beginning of the month of November 2023.
Until very recently, Tesla teams had the ability to take control of any of the brand’s vehicles remotely, in addition to being able to carry out updates. This option was seen as a potential danger for some drivers, who did not appreciate that strangers had the possibility of imposing commands on their car and controlling it from anywhere, even on the other side of the world.
Remote control sometimes perceived as intrusive, even dangerous!
Some remotely accessible controls may inconvenience the driver or other road users. For example, the horn can be activated without the driver wanting it, which can be annoying. Remote system reset can also waste time if it is not necessary. Turning on the headlights by someone operating remotely can quickly drain the battery if not stopped by the car owner.
In addition, the personal data of Tesla customers may be protected by the company, but no one is safe from computer hacking. The option to deactivate remote control could thus help protect against car theft using this function following a cyberattack.
But who could have influenced Elon Musk?
This change came only a few days after Elon Musk appeared on a Joe Rogan show. Although he did not mention it during the show, the latter has already expressed to his audience his concern about the fact that companies such as Tesla can deactivate the controls of a vehicle remotely.
The American host, known for his sometimes controversial opinions, has considerable influence over his audience. Perhaps it has no connection with this new option, but the chronology may suggest it.
Source : Not a Tesla App
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