Tesla Owners’ Personal Data Exposed Amid Protests Against Elon Musk

Thousands of Tesla owners’ personal data leaked online in protest against Elon Musk. Learn details about the breach, risks, and possible legal actions.

Owning a Tesla has unexpectedly turned into a privacy risk. A website recently surfaced, exposing personal data of thousands of Tesla owners — including addresses, phone numbers, business contacts, and some social media profiles — on an interactive map. While much of this information is already publicly available, certain details, such as email addresses and social media handles, may not have been previously disclosed. To get removed? Owners must prove they’ve sold their car.

The leak emerged amid global protests against Elon Musk and Tesla, which began in February. Activists have picketed Tesla stores worldwide, frustrated by Musk’s increasing involvement in politics. Many believe his actions are now negatively impacting the EV industry he once championed.

The controversial website, known as DogeQuest, presents itself as a social network for Tesla owners. However, it encourages what it describes as “creative expressions of protest,” with a Molotov cocktail as a cursor. The site contains links to anarchist resources, and in France, anarchist groups have claimed responsibility for torching a Tesla showroom in Toulouse. While the exact affiliation of the website remains unclear, its connection to protest movements has raised concerns.

The method by which the personal data was obtained remains unknown. Some of the listed information, such as Tesla store locations and business contacts, is publicly accessible, but the inclusion of private emails and government employee data linked to Musk’s newly created agency raises questions about the source of the leak.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the arson attack in France, but there are no official statements regarding the data leak website. Tesla has remained silent, though the company previously took legal action against former employees over a data breach and has since implemented stricter data protection measures.

Legal experts suggest that publishing personal data without consent could constitute a privacy violation. Affected individuals may have grounds to file lawsuits, and the website itself could face legal scrutiny. While the protests against Musk continue to gain momentum, targeting individual Tesla owners remains a controversial and legally questionable approach.

Source: electrek.co