# Tesla to warn of data privacy risk from car security cameras in Germany
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2023-04-05
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Tesla warned over privacy laws in Germany
Meta Description: Consumer group vzbv sued Tesla for not informing users about the potential data protection violations when using the car's surveillance mode.
URL: https://financedigest.com/tesla-to-warn-of-data-privacy-risk-from-car-security-cameras-in-germanyhtml

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By Victoria Waldersee

BERLIN (Reuters) – Tesla will warn that its ‘sentry mode’, which records a car’s surroundings, risks infringing data privacy laws in Germany after consumer group vzbv sued the manufacturer for failing to mention this in advertising.

The case is the latest in a series of disputes in countries from China to the Netherlands over the cameras in Tesla cars, which the company says are to protect from theft or vandalism but authorities worry lead to filming without consent.

The vzbv lawsuit filed last July alleged that the carmaker was misleading consumers by not informing them in advertising that the driver could be violating [data protection](https://www.financedigest.com/finalised-pan-european-data-protection-laws-set-the-new-standard-for-a-privacy-friendly-business-environment.html "Finalised Pan-European data protection laws set the new standard for a ‘privacy-friendly’ business environment") regulation if the feature was used in public spaces and filmed passers-by without their knowledge.

After a hearing on the case in Berlin, the [company issued a cease-and-desist declaration stating it would no longer advertise that way](https://www.financedigest.com/5-ways-to-protect-your-company-from-cyber-security-threats.html "5 Ways to Protect Your Company From Cyber Security Threats"), according to a statement by vzbv.

Tesla could not immediately be reached for comment.

The carmaker’s manual for buyers in the U.S. states that “it is your sole [responsibility to consult and comply with all local regulations](https://www.financedigest.com/aon-introduces-new-cyber-solution-in-response-to-eu-regulation-on-data-protection.html "Aon introduces new cyber solution in response to EU regulation on data protection") and property restrictions regarding the use of cameras.

A spokesperson for Berlin’s [data protection agency said that the person driving the car](https://www.financedigest.com/how-data-is-revolutionising-car-insurance.html "How data is revolutionising car insurance") is responsible for turning off the cameras in public spaces. Responsibility would extend to the [company if images](https://www.financedigest.com/surgical-imaging-market-2021-global-leading-companies-analysis-revenue-trends-and-forecasts-2027.html "Surgical Imaging Market 2021 Global Leading Companies Analysis, Revenue, Trends and Forecasts 2027") were transmitted to and stored by Tesla, the spokesperson added.

The [personal data](https://www.financedigest.com/five-ways-to-keep-your-personal-data-safe-from-hackers.html "Five ways to keep your personal data safe from hackers") watchdog in the Netherlands drew a similar conclusion in February, attributing responsibility for filming to the driver.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Rachel More, Alexandra Hudson)


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