Tesla Puts Users in Control: The Latest Privacy Feature in Update 2024.20
In an undocumented yet significant shift in Tesla’s 2024.20 software update, the company has emphasized user privacy by allowing drivers to see which apps access their vehicle’s location. The update aligns with Tesla’s ongoing commitment to user privacy and comes as an expansion to the already comprehensive privacy features introduced last year.
What’s New in Update 2024.20
Since late 2023, Tesla cars have displayed a small location icon at the top of the screen whenever the vehicle’s GPS data is accessed. This feature not only applied to internal operations by Tesla but extended to third-party apps as well. The icon would notify users by showing a brief explanation stating:
“This icon appears when an app requests your vehicle’s live location data. You can turn off sharing anytime in Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access, including all Tesla app access. When this setting is on, your vehicle communicates directly with the Tesla app and other apps, but Tesla doesn’t track your location.”
However, in the latest 2024.20 update, when the location icon is tapped, a more detailed message now appears. The screen clearly lists the specific service or application accessing the vehicle’s location at that moment. The text still reads: “This icon appears when an app requests your vehicle’s live location data.”, but now includes more granular details.
Details and Visibility
If you are using the Tesla Mobile App to check your car’s whereabouts, the vehicle will notify you that the “Tesla Mobile App” is accessing its location data. Similarly, if it’s a third-party application, the registered name of the third-party service will be displayed. This enhancement helps users immediately know exactly who is accessing their vehicle’s data, bolstering transparency.
Tesla has not introduced a historical log of what apps accessed location data. The detailed information is only available for a few seconds while the icon is displayed.
How to Disable Location Sharing
While Tesla emphasizes its privacy-first policy, it provides users with the option to disable location sharing. This can be done via:
- Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access
Disabling this setting will, however, affect the functionality of many features available through the Tesla app and third-party services. Tesla explicitly mentions that turning off Mobile Access will significantly restrict the Tesla app’s feature set. For instance, scheduled service appointments might need re-enabling location services to facilitate a seamless experience for Tesla’s Mobile Service.
Future of User Privacy
This minor update comes in the wake of growing concerns about data privacy in the digital age. Tesla’s newfound feature aims to alleviate the concerns of users who are wary about their data being accessed without their knowledge. This step is in line with industry expectations and demonstrates Tesla’s broader commitment to upholding user privacy.
Comparable Industry Moves
While Tesla leads with this user-first privacy approach, another company, Rimac, recently made headlines with its ambitious robotaxi project. The unveil of ‘Verne,’ their autonomous vehicle, has drawn comparisons to Tesla’s own Cybercab.
Rimac’s Latest Endeavor
Rimac, the makers of the Rimac Nevera electric hypercar, announced its intentions to launch a robotaxi named ‘Verne’. Much like Tesla’s Cybercab, Verne features a sleek design with futuristic innovations. The robotaxi promises a high-end transport experience with LiDAR technology and a 43-inch display, providing a luxurious ‘room on wheels’ ambiance.
Even though Verne’s appealing features have piqued interest, questions about Rimac’s production capabilities remain. The company, known for handcrafted hypercars, faces the challenge of scaling up production to meet market demands.
The Verne is touted to start operating in 2026, initially focusing on cities in the EU, the UK, and the Middle East, with expansion plans of targeting 30 more cities around the globe.
Tesla’s Robotaxi vs Rimac’s Verne
Tesla’s yet-to-be-revealed Cybercab prioritizes affordability over luxury, aiming for pricing that rivals bus tickets. Rimac, on the other hand, leans towards a premium user experience. Tesla aims to use a single center screen for operational control through its app, whereas Rimac plans dual screens and an outside entry pad for unlocking the taxi.
Tesla’s reliance on its camera-based autonomous tech contrasts sharply with Rimac’s utilization of Mobileye’s LiDAR and radar technologies.
The Road Ahead
As Tesla continues to refine its user privacy features and venture into autonomous vehicle tech, other innovators like Rimac are making their own strides. While the competition heats up in autonomous transport, Tesla’s unwavering focus on user empowerment and privacy, as showcased in update 2024.20, sets a new standard in the world of electric vehicles.
Stay tuned for more updates as the landscape of smart mobility evolves rapidly around us!
Related Video
For more insights on Tesla’s latest software update, watch this video:
Divya 
Mehek