Saturday, August 31, 2024

Police officers commonly seek video from bystander Teslas and seek warrants to tow the cars when owner consent is not quickly forthcoming

SF Chronicle:

In at least three instances in July and August, Oakland police sought to tow a Tesla into evidence to obtain — via a second court order — its stored video. Officers cited the cars’ “Sentry Mode” feature, a system of cameras and sensors that records noise and movement around the vehicle when it is empty and locked, storing it in a USB drive in the glove box.

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A source familiar with [one particular] investigation said the owner showed up as crews were loading his car onto a tow truck and intervened. When he volunteered the video, police released his vehicle.