Listen to this article Leaked Documents Reveal Tesla’s Directive: Verbal Communication Only For Complaints, No Written Records
Introduction
Recently leaked documents obtained by a German newspaper have revealed a controversial policy enforced by Tesla, discouraging the creation of written records for customer complaints concerning acceleration, braking, and crashes.Furthermore this article delves into the details of the leaked information, including the nature of the documents, Tesla’s directive on verbal communication, and the potential implications of this policy.
The Leaked Documents
Handelsblatt, the German newspaper, received an extensive cache of data from a Tesla whistleblower. This data encompasses over 23,000 files, including PDFs, spreadsheets, and emails, amounting to approximately 100 gigabytes of information. The leaked documents contain both employee and customer data, alongside numerous complaints detailing incidents of unintended acceleration, crash reports, and allegations of faulty collision warnings.
Verbal Communication Policy
According to the leaked files, Tesla had a specific policy in place that mandated verbal communication with customers regarding complaint details. Employees were explicitly instructed not to document these reports in writing, whether through emails or voicemails. Instead, they were directed to engage in exclusively verbal exchanges.
Accounts from Affected Individuals
Individuals affected by these policies shared their experiences with Handelsblatt. One California doctor recalled an incident in 2021, where their Tesla vehicle purportedly accelerated autonomously and crashed into concrete pillars. They noted that all communication with Tesla was conducted verbally, with no written records produced.
Internal Labeling and Confidentiality
The leaked documents revealed that Tesla employees were instructed to label reviews and complaints as “for internal use only.” Additionally, employees were explicitly advised not to copy and paste complaint reports into emails, text messages, or voicemails for customers. The policy emphasized the need for verbal communication and highlighted that information should only be relayed to customers orally. Furthermore, the release of vehicle data required explicit permission, and in cases involving legal action, such involvement had to be recorded.
Tesla’s Response and Potential Investigations
Tesla, in response to Handelsblatt’s publication, demanded the deletion of the leaked data, labeling it as “stolen.” The company also threatened legal action against the newspaper and the presumed “disgruntled former employee” responsible for the leak. Meanwhile, investigators in Germany and the Netherlands are reportedly considering whether the leak, which also included employee and customer data, warrants further investigation. European Union privacy laws may be a relevant factor in this regard.
Regulatory Issues and Recalls
Over the years, federal regulators have been investigating Tesla’s self-driving software and incidents caused by technical malfunctions across the United States.Also the automaker has issued recalls and implemented software updates for millions of vehicles to address reported incidents.
