Victoria Scott joins the hosts to discuss Tesla's earnings call, recall of a questionable truck, and US car companies collecting personal data for murky purposes. The conversation delves into insurance, law enforcement, and identifying when your friend has the aux cord.
Whistleblowers face severe health risks due to stress and pressure, impacting well-being.
Student protests in elite universities demand divestment from complicit companies, facing opposition.
Tesla overcomes challenges with optimistic CEO leadership, dismisses public policy team, and introduces innovative services.
Deep dives
Whistleblowers and Stress Impact on Health
Being a whistleblower can have severe health implications, not necessarily due to external threats, but because of the extreme stress involved. Stress can lead to various health issues, including heart conditions and mental health problems. The constant fear and pressure as a whistleblower can have devastating effects on one's well-being, potentially leading to unexpected health incidents.
Student Protests and Divestment Movements
Elite universities in the US and Canada have witnessed student occupations demanding divestment from companies supporting the Israeli government. These protests aim to hold institutions accountable for their complicity in actions deemed harmful. The opposition to these movements includes challenges from free speech advocates, state security forces, and individuals influenced by media narratives and political agendas.
Tesla's Earnings Call and Strategic Decisions
Tesla faced significant challenges, including recalls and market competition from Chinese car manufacturers. Despite experiencing a sales drop and concerns over vehicle safety, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk addressed the earnings call with optimism. Musk announced the dismissal of the entire public policy team and plans to introduce Robotaxi services. This move, combined with promises of future innovations, led to a positive impact on Tesla's stock price.
Data Collection in Cars: Privacy Concerns and Financial Exploitation
Car companies are collecting extensive data from vehicles, including information on driving habits, locations visited, and even potentially sensitive personal details. This data is often shared with data brokers and used by insurance companies to create risk profiles for personalized insurance coverage. Consumers are unknowingly subjected to increased subscription fees and mandatory data collection through infotainment systems and apps, leading to privacy concerns and financial exploitation.
Financial Models and Data Monetization in Automotive Industry
Automotive companies are implementing subscription-based models to access features like heated seats or navigation, creating recurring revenue streams and increasing control over the car's functionalities. Data collected can be sold to third parties, including personal and sensitive information, contributing to detailed consumer profiles. This monetization strategy extends into EVs, where access to performance features is locked behind additional subscription fees, reflecting a trend of exploiting data for profit within the automotive sector.
For this week’s free episode, it’s Riley, Hussein, and November with special guest and friend of the show Victoria Scott (@mikurubaeahina) in a discussion about Tesla’s recent earnings call, its recall of its non-warhead-equipped ramming missile / bad looking truck combination, and US car manufacturers hoovering up immense amounts of personal data to be used for… insurance? Law enforcement snitching? Formal identification of when your bisexual friend has the aux cord? It’s not looking good.
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