Tesla Inc was hit by a lawsuit in Germany over potential privacy concerns linked to its car surveillance cameras and claims that buying its vehicles helps cut CO2 emissions.
VZBV, the main German consumer association, filed the action in a Berlin court on Tuesday, according to a statement.
The group argued that Tesla doesn’t tell buyers they must comply with European data regulations when using the sentry mode, which uses cameras to observe the vehicle’s surroundings. Drivers may even risk fines, VZBV said.
When claiming in its advertising that buying a Tesla helps cut emissions, the company doesn’t tell the whole story, VZBV alleged. Tesla sells emission certificates to other carmakers, giving them the right to emit more carbon dioxide, according to the group.
Tesla, which emphasises its electric cars do not emit any CO2, has been criticised for keeping quiet about emissions caused in the production process. In June, Tesla was among a group of companies criticised by institutional investors for failing to disclose their environmental footprints through global reporting standards.
Tesla didn’t immediately reply to messages seeking comment.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Tesla hit by German lawsuit over car surveillance, carbon footprint
Image: Bloomberg
Tesla Inc was hit by a lawsuit in Germany over potential privacy concerns linked to its car surveillance cameras and claims that buying its vehicles helps cut CO2 emissions.
VZBV, the main German consumer association, filed the action in a Berlin court on Tuesday, according to a statement.
The group argued that Tesla doesn’t tell buyers they must comply with European data regulations when using the sentry mode, which uses cameras to observe the vehicle’s surroundings. Drivers may even risk fines, VZBV said.
When claiming in its advertising that buying a Tesla helps cut emissions, the company doesn’t tell the whole story, VZBV alleged. Tesla sells emission certificates to other carmakers, giving them the right to emit more carbon dioxide, according to the group.
Tesla, which emphasises its electric cars do not emit any CO2, has been criticised for keeping quiet about emissions caused in the production process. In June, Tesla was among a group of companies criticised by institutional investors for failing to disclose their environmental footprints through global reporting standards.
Tesla didn’t immediately reply to messages seeking comment.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
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