Emerging Trend of Technology-Enabled Stalking
Cases of technology-enabled stalking involving cars are on the rise as automakers introduce increasingly sophisticated features like location tracking and remote control. Divorce lawyers, private investigators, and anti-domestic violence advocates have witnessed a surge in such abusive behavior. While similar concerns have prompted technology companies like Google and Apple to implement safeguards in their products, the scope of abuse using car technology remains uncertain.
While Reuters examined two cases involving alleged stalking through Tesla technology, the extent of the problem couldn’t be quantified. However, a Tesla employee’s testimony in the San Francisco woman’s lawsuit revealed at least one other case of stalking through the vehicle app. Attorneys, private investigators, and anti-abuse advocates confirmed similar cases but were unwilling to divulge details due to privacy and security concerns.
Protective Measures and Industry Response
Automakers, acknowledging the need for safeguards, have offered features like GM’s OnStar mobile system, which allows all drivers to mask their location. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), a trade group for automakers and suppliers, cited spousal violence as a reason for not disclosing location or personal data in most cases. AAI argued that sharing such data with abusers could lead to significant harm.
While automakers like Rivian are working on similar functions to enhance user control over data sharing, more needs to be done industry-wide to address this issue. To avoid compromising user privacy, General Motors allows primary account holders to add or deny access to other drivers. However, it is important for automakers to establish strict policies to prevent car technology from becoming a tool for abuse.
The Legal Battle and Tesla’s Defense
In 2020, the San Francisco woman sued her husband, seeking monetary damages from Tesla. Court records revealed that she had repeatedly requested Tesla to disable her husband’s access to the vehicle’s technology, but Tesla refused, citing the husband’s co-ownership of the car.
Divulging details from court filings, police reports, and other documents related to the lawsuit, Reuters discovered that the woman’s attempts to gain support from Tesla were unsuccessful. Despite evidence of physical abuse and constant tampering with the car’s settings, Tesla prevailed in the lawsuit, and the restraining order against the husband remained in effect.
Tesla argued that the woman had provided no substantial proof, aside from her suspicions, that her husband used the car’s technology to stalk her. The court ruled in favor of Tesla, emphasizing the difficulty of determining the legitimacy of stalking allegations in such cases.
Broader Concerns and Addressing the Issue
Technology-enabled stalking is not a new phenomenon, as abusers have historically utilized smartphones or tracking devices for this purpose. Apple and Google have proposed standardized technology to alert individuals who are being tracked without their consent, which has garnered support from anti-domestic abuse advocates. However, companies like Tesla need to develop better solutions to prevent misuse and protect users.
Efforts to combat technology-enabled stalking should involve a multi-faceted approach, including stricter regulations, enhanced user control over data sharing, and improved countermeasures by automakers. Transparent policies and proactive measures are necessary to ensure the safety and privacy of individuals using car technology.
In a similar case in San Francisco, a family court judge allowed the woman to sell the jointly owned Tesla in late 2020, marking the end of her ordeal.