mtswJan 19, 2023
Again, Theranos-level fraud. So much of the runup of Tesla's stock price (and Elon's personal wealth) was built on the widespread assumption that they had a lead in self-driving technology, based on fraudulent evidence like this staged demo. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-19/elon-musk-directed-tesla-autopilot-video-saying-car-drove-itself-tsla?srnd=premium
Show threadAdam CookJan 19, 2023

@mtsw A fraud that has already cost human lives, in fact.

The fact that #Tesla and #Musk has recently been engaged in a "Safety is Priority Number 1 at Tesla" gaslighting campaign is just the icing on this cake.

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UK
@adamjcook @mtsw Quite a few VW executives actually got nicked in various countries for Dieselgate and hauled up before Court - some even got jail! Although they did get early release and fairly light penalties, they were still processed through the criminal justice system in more than one country...
Jan 19, 2023 at 10:08pmWeb
Show threadAdam CookJan 19, 2023

@vfrmedia @mtsw True.

Well, the thing that Musk has going for him is that US automotive regulations are virtually non-existent and chief executives of US companies rarely receive criminal indictments.

VW executives were actually punished by the EU because the EU actually cares about the rule of law.

And it was easy for the US to punish VW because VW is a foreign company.

Musk has hands-down committed fraud here, but is it enough for criminal charges?

I am honestly not sure.

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKJan 19, 2023
@adamjcook @mtsw here in in UK selling a blatantly unroadworthy and unsafe vehicle (at any level) often does result in criminal penalties, as does fraud in vehicle descriptions (and the self driving Tesla isn't allowed here yet, just those you have to drive normally) but I've just watched "Just Rolled in" on YouTube and it seems at least some states of USA allow all sorts of unroadworthy motors to be sold and driven in the name of "freedom"..,.
Show threadAdam CookJan 19, 2023

@vfrmedia @mtsw Yup.

It is my understanding that an automaker (and possibly its executives) can be held criminally responsible for even misrepresenting *the marketing* of automated driving systems - something that Tesla has done with wanton disregard to public safety.

The UK, also in my understanding, has specific laws carved out for automated driving systems marketing.

The UK is a decade ahead of the US on that issue (and many others).

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKJan 19, 2023

@adamjcook @mtsw I think the exact legislation hasn't been fully decided yet (its currently planned for 2025) but until it is, no self driving vehicles are currently approved by DVLA (our equivalent of the DMV).

There's already guidance in the Highway Code about how to drive them (and the traffic laws that would apply if doing so)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/introduction#self-driving-vehicles

The Highway Code - Introduction - Guidance - GOV.UK

Who The Highway Code is for, how it's worded, the consequences of not following the rules, self-driving vehicles, and the hierarchy of road users (Rules H1 to H3).

Show threadAdam CookJan 20, 2023

@vfrmedia @mtsw Gotcha!

Thanks for the info. I was not sure what the latest was on that.

The US is not even on the same galaxy as this.